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 2024 are now payable.
New Monthly Jazz Jam Sessions at the RAC Commences Tuesday 4th February
The sessions will be held at The Riverside Arts Centre between 7.45 and 10pm. No age limit.
For further details click here
Survey on Current Use of Youth Centres in Surrey
The following survey is designed to obtain your views about your current use of Youth Centres in Surrey, and Surrey County Council’s proposed plans to change the way Universal Youth Work is delivered in Surrey.
"Organ Lollipops" - an evening with David Saint. on 15th February, 7.30pm at St Mary's Church, Sunbury
David is well known in the world of Organists. A former Trustee and past Chair of the Royal College of Organists, he was awarded FRCO, FRCM & FRBC (Fellowship of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire) and is currently Chair of the Incorporated Association of Organists (IAO). His recital venues include Europe, Korea and various English Cathedrals. He has been Organist and Director of Music at St Chad's Cathedral and until 2015, he was principal of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
The evening will start with a short talk by David followed by a programme to suit all tastes, including works by Albinoni, Walton, Handel, Bach, Elgar and Walond to name but a few. There will be an interval with light refreshments. Tickets are £10 (£9 for members of FoSM) and £5 for students.
For further information and/or tickets please 'phone 01932785035 /01932 785807
Also see: fosmsunbury.org.uk or Dennis Van Wonderen, the florist on Avenue Parade.
Bring a friend and we look forward to seeing you there!
15th February, 7.30pm at St Mary's Church, Sunbury TW16 6RG
(Parking available in Parish Hall car park, Green Street. 235 & 216 buses stop outside Church).
LOSRA Response to Local Plan Consultation
LoSRA has now submitted its response to the Spelthorne Borough Council’s consultation on the New Local Plan. The Preferred Option in the Plan proposes the release of a significant amount of Green Belt land for development to achieve its allocated target of new homes.
LoSRA remains opposed to such development and the precedent it could set against the Government’s own definition that “the essential characteristics of Green Belts are their openness and permanence”.
Four parcels of Green Belt land have been identified for allocation in the Lower Sunbury area. LoSRA’s comments on these in its response to the Local Plan are focused on the largest of these proposed sites, namely that adjacent to Stratton Road, but similar arguments apply to all Green Belt sites proposed for allocation.
Having studied in detail the reasons for allocating this site, LoSRA believes that the consultant’s judgements made in the two Green Belt Assessment Reports were flawed. The Stratton Road site was originally part of a larger area of Green Belt rightly assessed as being “strongly performing” but was selectively downgraded when that larger area was subsequently sub-divided. LoSRA does not support that downgrading and believes that the Stratton Road site does and should continue to play its vital Green Belt role in helping to maintain separation and preventing urban sprawl. It also notes that any development of the proposed Stratton Road site would face considerable challenges due to the lack of supporting infrastructures.
Furthermore, LoSRA supports Spelthorne Council’s challenge to the Government to reconsider the high number of new houses it is required to see built in the borough as part of its new Local Plan.
Council welcomes further Heathrow consultation
Spelthorne Borough Council has welcomed Heathrow Airport launching a further consultation in regards to their expansion plan.
For further details, click here
Revision of Local Plan – Preferred Options (Green Belt) Consultation - LOSRA's Intended Response
As promised in the January edition of Sunbury Matters we now publish the notes which will fashion the Association’s response to the Preferred Options consultation on the Local Plan. It’s a bit of a heavy read but there is no escaping the technical detail which goes to the heart of our observations. Reminder: the date for replies through the Council website closes at 23.59 on 21st January.
More...
37A French Street - Application 19/01534/FUL
A recent application for the development of four houses at 37A French Street has proved to be very controversial. LOSRA has submitted a representation as follows:
It is noted that there is no design and access statement (DAS) to accompany this application which may have shed light on the reasoning behind what must surely be regarded as a highly speculative proposal for the over-development of this site.
Policy EN1 – Design of New Development
The development proposal fails to satisfy the following elements of the policy: (a) the creation of buildings and places that are attractive with their own distinct identity or make a positive contribution to the street scene and the character of the area in which they are to be situated; (b) achieve a satisfactory relationship to adjoining properties; (c) be designed in an inclusive way to be accessible to all members of the community regardless of any disability; (d) incorporate landscaping to enhance the setting of the development; (g) incorporate adequate provision for the storage of waste and recyclable materials.
Policy CO3 – Provision of Open Space
The development proposal is situated in an area of the Borough with inadequate open space. The Council should therefore require the provision of new on-site open space.
Car Parking
There is currently a single parking space serving the site with no proposed increase (vide the application form). The Supplementary Planning Guidance on parking standards require that 6 (rounded up) spaces be provided. This is particularly important as the site is poorly situated for public transport options. Furthermore, having viewed this site it is evident that the length of French Street most affected comprises some 70% dropped kerbs making out of hours on-street parking extremely difficult as things stand even today.
Conclusion
We submit that this planning proposal is poorly conceived and, in most respects, demonstrates scant knowledge of the Core Strategy and Policies Development Plan Document. We urge you to refuse.
Council Tax 2020/21 - Have your say on next year’s police funding in Surrey
Would you be prepared to pay a little extra on your council tax bill to further improve the policing service in Surrey?
Click here to register your response
The Nashville Teens to kick off the New Year at the SCC on Friday 10th January
On Friday 10th January Sunbury Cricket Club kicks off the New Year in its customary style when they welcome back THE NASHVILLE TEENS in their now traditional New Year slot to start the year as they mean to go on.
They were one of the great names from the ‘60s who had two memorable Top Ten hits in 1964 with “Tobacco Road” and “Google Eye”, and have played storming gigs for the Club over the last six years, so we’re delighted to have them back again this year.
The line-up features their original lead singer Ray Phillips, who has had an unbroken half-century career with the band, as well as making solo records and performing with other line-ups like the British Invasion All-Stars with members of The Yardbirds, Creation and Downliners Sect.
With him in the current Nashville Teens is a line-up of seasoned performers, including Colin Pattenden, member of Manfred Mann’s Earth Band when they had their big hits back in the 70s, on bass, with Simon Spratley of The Ian Campbell Blues Band on keyboards, Ken Osborn from Levee Camp Moan on guitar, Adam Russel on harmonica and Adrian ‘Spud’ Metcalf on drums.
It will be another night of classic ‘60s R&B, featuring in Ray one of the great voices of the beat era. There’s more information at www.Nashville-Teens.com.
Food will be available as usual, so it’s hoped you can make it down to get this year’s Music Nights off to a cracking start. The Club looks forward to seeing you next week.
Simon Spillett, Award Winning Tenor Saxophonist to Join Terence Collie Trio at the RAC, 5th January
Simon Spillett is a multi-award winning English jazz tenor saxophonist.
He has won the BBC Jazz Awards Rising Star (2007), Jazz Journal's Critics' Choice album of the Year (2009), the British Jazz Awards Top Tenor Saxophonist (2011), the Services to British Jazz award (2016).
For details of times and venue, see poster here
LOSRA Wishes All Our Readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our members for their support throughout the year and we are immensely grateful to them.
At this time of year there are many estimable claims upon our wallets but if you value our efforts to represent the local community, for the price of two cups of coffee, you still have time to secure your membership of £5 for 2019.
Please don’t hesitate, do it now by using this link, which takes you to the Membership page of our website.
Many thanks in advance!
Council Advice Regarding High Level of River Thames
An email to LOSRA from the Council is reproduced here:
We appreciate that resident's may have noticed the high level of the River Thames over recent days. Despite the predicted rain over the next few days the Environment Agency have said they are not expecting the Thames to flood except low lying land - not properties.
However, we would like to reassure residents we are monitoring the situation and have contingency plans in place to deal with flooding should the need arise.
You can sign up for warnings direct and for the latest information on flood risks here
It's Pantomime Time!
Click here to see the poster for Old Mother Hubbard at the Riverside Arts Centre, 16th -19th January.
Tickets £12.
Policing Your Community Event on 15th January
The following communication has been forwarded to LOSRA from Surrey Police:
On Wednesday 15 January 2020, we will be hosting a free ‘Policing Your Community’ event with the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey at the Hythe Centre from 6:45pm.
This event will be your opportunity to hear from our Chief Officer Group on future plans and current challenges we face, and your Borough Commander on issues affecting your community. You will also have the opportunity to ask them questions you may have.
Police and Crime Commissioner David Munro will also be there to talk about his planned proposal for the 2020-21 Council Tax Precept and you will have the chance to take part in his public consultation.
The event is free to attend, but we recommend that you register your attendance which can be done on the link below.
Register to attend by going here
Coincidentally, the date advertised clashes with a police public event for Spelthorne at the Hazelwood Centre. Oh dear! See here
