Welcome to the LOSRA Website
As with any other local neighbourhood, the policies and actions which affect the character and future of Lower Sunbury are generally framed and implemented by a combination of local and national government, along with the vested interests and market forces which operate within those frameworks. Lower Sunbury is by no means unique in being under threat from a creaking infrastructure brought about by rapid urban development, the growth of traffic, and other pressures affecting the quality of life and the character of the area.
Working with the local authorities, we see it as the responsibility of residents’ and amenity groups such as LOSRA to address the underlying issues which fundamentally affect their members’ lives, as well as the minutiae of everyday life with which such groups are often concerned.
Please sign up to receive our regular e-bulletins by subscribing via the facility at the top left hand of this page. It goes without saying that, without your continued support we would cease to function so we urge you to join, or renew your membership now Subscriptions (£5 per household) for 2023 are now payable.
Remembrance Services 2021 - Sunday 14 November
The following notice has been circulated by the Council and we are pleased to reproduce it here:
Remembrance Sunday falls on 14 November in 2021 and is an opportunity for us to remember the Armed Forces, and their families, from Britain and the Commonwealth, and the vital role played by the emergency services and those that have lost their lives because of conflict or terrorism.
Whilst we are delighted to see the return of wreath laying ceremonies at each of Spelthorne’s memorials this year. In view of the pandemic, they have been scaled back with the ambition that they will return to full capacity in November 2022.
Details of each of the events is available on the website: click here
Please note that the services may be impacted by changing Coronavirus precautions. Please check the latest situation 24 hours before the day.
Poppy Appeal
It has been another particularly difficult year for service charities with fundraising significantly down on previous years. As such we are keen to support This year's Poppy Appeal which launches on Thursday 28 October.
You can pick up your poppy at the Council offices at Knowle Green, at the check-out of all major supermarkets as well as online or at branches of Lloyds Bank and Santander.
Spelthorne Council - Budget Consultation
Spelthorne Borough Council is inviting people who live and work in the Borough to give their views on the proposals for the Council's 2022/2023 budget and beyond. All participants of this consultation will be entered into a prize draw to win a year's membership at Spelthorne or Sunbury Leisure Centre.
This is an opportunity for everyone who uses the Council's services to input into this important process and give their views on where they think Spelthorne should be focusing its resources. The aim is to plan future budgets that meet the needs of the community, protect key services and maintain financial stability during these challenging times.
The consultation asks for views on Spelthorne's financial strategy, key issues and options, proposed service provision and future Council Tax levels.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Lawrence Nichols, said: "This is an important opportunity for residents and businesses to help shape our budget and priorities for future years. We want to know if you agree with our spending plans and hear your views on the best way we can support everyone in our community.
"There are huge pressures on the Council's finances, but we are committed to setting a balanced and sustainable budget which will protect the services on which residents and businesses rely."
The consultation runs from 1 November - 28 November 2021. To take part visit https://spelthorne.inconsult.
Alternatively, if you would like a printed copy of the consultation sent to you, email your postal address to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01784 444260.
Nitrous Oxide - No Laughing Matter
Readers may remember that the Council conducted a public consultation regarding the posseession of nitrous oxide at the beginning of the year and was advertised on this site on 21st January.Ferry Still Running this Weekend!
The article below (Tuesday 19th October) incorrectly referred to the closure of our first season of the Ferry Crossing.
For the final times this year, the ferry will in fact be running on 30-31 October between 10am and 4pm.
The service will then close until Easter 2022.
Half-Term fun in Spelthorne
The October half-term week is upon us and Spelthorne Council have a number of suggested activities in which residents with younger family members may like to take part.
For further details, go to: https://www.spelthorne.gov.uk/
Season's Closing of the Ferry Service
Last Saturday brought to an end the first season of the very successful Sunbury to Walton ferry. An event was supposed to have taken place at the launching of the new ferry service back in July but as Covid restrictions made that impossible it seemed fitting to mark the end of our first season with a small celebration of the project's success.
Figures show that in the first 25 days of operation the ferry carried 6,331 passengers consisting of adults, children, bikes, pushchairs and dogs. This figure is all the more impressive when one considers that it rained on 13 of those days!
LOSRA Committee member Neil Huntingford, along with Simon Harris, directors of Sunbury Ferry Ltd, a not for profit community company, hosted the event and thanked all those who had made it possible:
- Spelthorne Borough Council, especially their River Thames Task Group,
- Surrey County Council
- Lower Sunbury Residents' Association,
- Middle Thames Yacht Club,
- Halliford School,
- Sunbury Matters,
- The Riverside Arts Centre,
- The Environment Agency,
- Sassy Apron,
- Daphne Clement who has immortalised the ferry in watercolours.
Speeches were made by Neil, Cllr. Vivienne Leighton, Chair of the River Thames Task Group, and the Mayor, Cllr. Ian Harvey. Special mention was reserved for the willing band of volunteer skippers and crew who have willingly given up their time to share their expertise and to learn new skills; and commit to running the service with professionalism, dedication and a ready smile despite the weather.
More...
Proposed Development of Phase 2, Benwell House Refused by Planning Committee
Despite the officer's recommendation to approve this plan, the Planning Committee on 13th October voted against the construction of the 5 storey block of 39 flats as the Second phase of the Benwell House development in Green Street, pictured. (Artist impressions are always designed to look seductive!)
It was a close run thing with the vote: 6 in favour and 7 against. In addition to two well-organised and professional local residents, the Vice-chairman of this Association and Cllr. Kathy Grant (in whose ward the site is situated) also spoke against the application.
The reasons for refusal which have now been published on the Council website are summarised below:
1. The proposed development, by reason of its height, bulk and close proximity to the boundary with the residential properties in Meadows End and Dunnell Close, would result in an unacceptable, overbearing effect and lead to overlooking and loss of privacy to these residential properties, detrimental
to their amenity and contrary to Policy EN1(b) of the Core Strategy and Policies DPD, February 2009, and the National Planning Policy Framework 2021.
2. The proposed development will lead to an unacceptable loss of trees protected by a Tree Preservation Order, which make an important contribution to the urban environment and the landscape quality of the site and surrounding area, contrary to Policies EN1(d), EN7 and EN8(c) of the Core Strategy and Policies DPD, February 2009, and the National Planning Policy Framework 2021.
3. The proposed development by reason of its height, bulk and scale, would result in an unacceptable development which would fail to respect and make a positive contribution to the street scene and character of the area, contrary to Policy EN1(a) of the Core Strategy and Policies DPD, February
2009, and the National Planning Policy Framework 2021.
It's important to state that, at no time, was there an objection to some form of development taking place on this site. Our objections, as described above, would have been made clear from the outset had there been any meaningful public engagement from the outset - a requirement specified by the National Planning Policy Framework.
Sunbury Walled Garden and Staines Cemetery awarded Green Flags
Spelthorne Borough Council has announced that, for the 11th year running, the Sunbury Walled Garden and Staines Cemetery have been awarded Green Flag status.
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
The historic Walled Garden in Sunbury Park was built in the early part of the 18th Century. Following years of neglect, Spelthorne Council embarked on a restoration project of the two-acre garden in 1985. Now home to over 200 varieties of clematis, this 'hidden gem' provides a tranquil spot all year round.
Celebration of the Late Michael Garrick at the RAC on 7th November
Michael Garrick MBE (30 May 1933 – 11 November 2011) was an English jazz pianist and composer; and a pioneer in mixing jazz with poetry recitations and in the use of jazz in large-scale choral works.
The 10th anniversary of his death will be celebrated by the Terry Collie Trio with guest, Nette Robinson at the Riverside Arts Centre, Thames Street at 7.45pm on Sunday 7th November.
For poster and booking details, click here
Fireworks Night at London Irish, 30th October
The following email has been received from Liam Caplis, the Events Manager at London Irish Amateur RFC and will be of interest to pet owners living in the vicinity of the Club:
"We would like to inform you that the London Irish Amateur Club is holding a Fireworks Night at Hazelwood on Saturday 30th of October 2021. The event will run from 17.30pm to 9.00pm with the display planned to take place at TBD and will last for 10 minutes.
"We will make the local council, Police and Fires Services aware of the event and the precautions we have taken.
"The event is being run by volunteer parents from the Mini and Youth section in order to raise much needed funds for our amateur club. It is aimed at the wider community and the bulk of tickets will be sold to young families from the local area. Parking at Hazelwood is expected to be adequate for the number of people attending as it is highly likely that the majority are local and will walk. We hope that our event does not cause you inconvenience. If you have any questions then please contact me by email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)."
Call for Green Spaces - Have Your Say
The Council are seeking the assistance of local communities and others to put forward areas of green space, through a Call for Green Spaces process.
The purpose of this is to identify green spaces that could be considered suitable for designation as Local Green Space (LGS).
LGS is an additional layer of protection for green spaces, included in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), and allows those that meet a set of criteria to be designated. The NPPF (2021) in paras 101-103 sets out the role of LGS:
Spelthorne Scoops Prestigious Award
Spelthorne Council's continued efforts to create a cleaner, greener and more colourful Borough were, once again, recognised at this year's prestigious South & South East in Bloom Award.
In particular, The ever-popular Sunbury Walled Garden, pictured, struck gold in the Small Park competition. This matches their successes from both 2019 and 2020.The judge commented on the Walled Garden, saying: "My first visit to Sunbury Walled Garden and how impressed I was [by the] amazing, beautiful, very attractive gardens, well maintained to a very high standard."
In addition, Sunbury, Ashford and Staines Cemeteries all picked up gold awards in the cemeteries category.
Surrey Neighbourhood Watch - Police Survey
The following self-explanatory email has been received from Surrey Neighbourhood Watch and we are pleased to publish it here:Surrey Police have recently launched an external engagement survey programme where they are working to understand how to better engage with our communities. They have asked Neighbourhood Watch to distribute the link to the survey.
Here is a chance to have your say regarding Surrey Policing.
Their message is:
Regards
Martin Stilwell
Chair, Surrey NhW
Music Nights to Resume at the SCC on 8th October
Music Nights resume at Sunbury Cricket Club on FRIDAY 8TH OCTOBER, with a special “Welcome Back To Music Nights” gig by the Club's all-star house band THE CHAIN GANG.
It was decided to do it this way because after a break of eighteen months the Club wanted to test the water before it started booking outside bands, and also because it was thought the circumstances demanded a bit of a party night to celebrate being back, and the CHAIN GANG shows are very much that kind of occasion.
The CHAIN GANG always play at the Club's annual Mayor’s Charity Night, but the proceeds from this Music Night will be used to help fund much-needed improvements to the Club’s patio area, and the musicians, as usual, will be giving their services free.
Playing its customary mix of rock ‘n’ roll, ‘60s R&B, rock, blues and country, the line-up features the familiar array of talented musicians associated with the Club which is particularly delighted to welcome back on guitar and vocals our very own beat era superstar, Karl Green, former Sunbury resident, who was the original long-time bass player with Herman’s Hermits, and then often played at the club with his band Dave’s Not here.
The band also features guitarists Gerry Cook, originally with Decca recording band from the ‘60s The Saxons and now with Matrix; Chris Allard, once with top Nottingham band Dawn Trader, and now also with Matrix – he will also be on harmonica; and Mark Doyle of The Marshall Taylor Band. Bass players are Phil Miller-Tate from The Marshall Taylor Band; Martin House, formerly with Life And Soul and now with The Next Big Thing; and Roger Harding, once with a recording line-up of East Of Eden and now with The Rebel Yell Jazz Orchestra among others. On keyboards is Kevin Welling, once a band colleague of Elaine Paige and a member of Dave’s Not Here, and now with the Stan Bland Band; and on drums is Stephane Booroff, formerly with Edison Lighthouse and now leader of jazz group The Blue Notes as well as being with a new line-up of 70s hit band Butterscotch. On vocals and rhythm guitar is Music Night organiser Paul Watts.
Hot food, prepared by the expert chefs from our resident caterers from the food bank charity Surplus To Supper, will be available from 7pm, and the band will be on stage at about 8.45pm.
Admission is £10.00 on the door, payable by cash or card. If you are not already a member of the Club – annual social membership is £10 and you can join on the night just by filling in a form – our licensing arrangements require that we take your details on admission so that you can be signed in by a member.
The musicians are very much looking forward to playing again and the club hopes to welcome a good crowd to kick things off with a bang.
