Welcome to the LOSRA Website
Like any local community, the policies and decisions shaping the character and future of Lower Sunbury are influenced by a combination of local and national government initiatives, alongside market forces and vested interests operating within these frameworks. As with many areas, Lower Sunbury faces challenges stemming from an aging infrastructure, rapid urban development, increasing traffic congestion, and other pressures that impact both quality of life and the distinctive character of the neighbourhood.
In collaboration with local authorities, other residents’ associations and amenity groups, LOSRA plays a vital role in addressing fundamental issues that affect its members' lives. This organisation not only engages with broader strategic concerns but also focuses on the everyday matters that shape community well-being.
To stay informed, we encourage you to subscribe to our regular e-bulletins via the link at the top left of this page. Your continued support is essential to our efforts, and we urge you to join or renew your membership. Subscriptions for 2026 are now payable at £5 per household. Donations are also welcome.
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.
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
More...
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.
Local Plan - Presentation to Residents' Associations
On 20th September, Ann Biggs, The Strategic Planning Manager for Spelthorne Borough Council, gave a comprehensive presentation to Residents' Associations on the Local Plan and its progress towards completion and eventual submission in June 2022.
Georgina Jackson and the Terence Collie Trio at the RAC on 26th September
Another great evening of jazz at the Riverside Arts Centre is in prospect for Sunday 26th September.
The Terence Collie Trio is joined by Georgina Jackson, vocals and trumpet.
Poppy Appeal Event on 18th September
A poppy appeal event will be held at the Admiral Hawke Pub on Saturday, 18th September between 12pm and 5pm.
