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.
Public Consultation on Proposed Changes to Community Recycling Centres (aka the Council tips)
The following changes are proposed to the CRC service:
1. Permanently closing a number of smaller, less effective CRCs, whilst increasing the opening hours at some CRCs.
2. Introducing a charge to dispose of construction wood and roofing felt.
3. Increasing the cost of disposing of items we already charge for.
4. Charging an annual application fee for van, pickup and trailer permits.
Please have your say on these proposals by completing the survey in the 'Have your say' link at the bottom of this page.
This consultation closes at 11:59 PM on Friday 4 January 2019.
Spelthorne Local Plan Update
LoSRA has received the following self-explanatory email from the Strategic Planning Manager for Spelthorne Council:
We hope you have seen recent updates on our website on the new Local Plan. We have just published our Issues and Options consultation response document [433kb], where you can view the summary responses to our first consultation that we carried out in May and June 2018. If you have registered on our consultation portal at https://consult.spelthorne.gov.uk you can also log in to view the responses in full.
We have updated our Local Development Scheme 2017-2021 [479kb] with a revised timetable to take account of the additional work the Strategic Planning Team is undertaking in order to respond to the Heathrow Expansion proposals. As a result, we are now intending to hold our next public consultation on Preferred Options in Summer 2019.
During the period from now until our next consultation, the team is busy continuing to produce evidence and developing options for the new Local Plan. Part of this evidence includes a Stage 2 Green Belt Assessment, which will be assessing smaller parcels of land already reviewed at Stage 1 Spelthorne Green Belt Assessment Report [8Mb]. The methodology for Stage 2 was subject to consultation in July/August 2018 and is available to view: Green Belt Assessment - Stage 2 Methodology [596kb].
We will be publishing the Stage 2 assessment and other relevant evidence when we carry out our next public consultation in Summer 2019. This will ensure it can be considered in the context of the new Local Plan as a whole and the options we consult on. We will decide on a suitable length of consultation beyond the usual 6 weeks that allows for all the documents to be read and digested by all our residents and stakeholders.
Ann Biggs
Strategic Planning Manager
Lower Sunbury Residents - Offer of Free Week's Membership at Nuffield Health
LoSRA has been approached by Nuffield Health (formerly Virgin Active) with the offer of a free open week for residents of Lower Sunbury at their premises located at The Avenue, Sunbury-On-Thames TW16 5EQ:
COME AND JOIN US FOR A FREE OPEN WEEK
Monday 19th November – Sunday 25th November
To give the Lower Sunbury Residents a chance to experience our great facility, we are offering you a FREE 1-week membership this November!
Our facilities include;
- A newly renovated gymnasium with a cardiovascular area, free weights area and large functional & athletic zones.
- Clinically qualified Personal Trainers, Physiotherapists and Nutritionist
- 3 exercise studios for Holistic, Cardiovascular and Spin classes.
- 120+ classes per week including Yoga, Pilates, Aerobics, Spin Cycle, and many of the Les Mills classes such as Body Pump, Body combat etc.
- Relaxation facilities including a Swimming Pool, Sauna, Steam Room and Jacuzzi.
- Adult only facilities as well as family swim time
- Car park on site
- Friendly and helpful staff with a friendly club atmosphere
- Children’s Pool.
- Restaurant and Costa Cafe.
Whether you want to relax in the sauna or steam room, have a swim, a workout or take part in one of our classes we think there is something here for everyone and feel free to invite a friend or partner to join you. In order to claim this offer, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Alfie Carroll to Host an Evening of Music by Pat Metheny - RAC, 4th November
November’s Riverside Arts Jazz concert features guitarist Alfie Carroll playing the compositions of Pat Metheny.
Alfie Carroll - guitar
Terence Collie - piano
Dave Jones - bass
Gary Willcox - drums
Venue: Riverside Arts Centre, 59 Thames Street.
Tickets on the door £13 or £10 via the website: www.moodindigoevents.co.uk
Time: 7.45pm
Main Reception relocated at Knowle Green Council Offices
The Main Reception Area at the Council Offices, Knowle Green will be undergoing some refurbishment between Monday 22 October and Friday 16 November 2018. This part of the building will be closed and will not be accessible to members of the public during this period. The Temporary Reception will have a General Enquiries Counter which will deal with Council Tax, Business Rates, Planning + Microfiche, Building Control, Environmental Health, Licensing and Leisure. This counter should also be used for Surrey County Council (Adult Social Care) matters or for Surrey Action for Carers, One to One, Age UK Surrey and CREST Cancer Support.
The Temporary Reception will also have a Housing Counter which will deal with Housing Benefits or Housing Options / homelessness queries.
If you have a pre-arranged meeting with a member of staff or Councillor, then you should approach the General Enquiries Counter in the West Wing, unless you have been provided with alternative instructions.
Visitor parking (+ disabled spaces) will remain available at the front of the building and at the West Wing end of the building.
Fireworks Night at London Irish, Saturday 3rd November
As a fundraiser for the Amateur Club London Irish will be holding another family fireworks event. The feedback from last year’s event was extremely positive and the Club has increased its capacity to make sure they don’t have to turn anyone away this time.
Pre-booking is advised.
More...
The Stan Bland Band to Perform at SCC, 19th October
The next Music Night at Sunbury Cricket Club is on Friday 19th October when the Club welcomes for the first time THE STAN BLAND BAND, one of the hardest-working groups on the club and pub scene, working consistently across West and North London and Hertfordshire – which a look at their gig schedule on the Lemonrock web site will confirm.
They are led by guitarist and singer Stan Bland, who was with the cult band The Bozos in the 70s & 80s and more recently with The Philistans.
The band also features on keyboards and vocals a face familiar to you as a member of our charity event house band The Chain Gang, Kevin Welling, who has also performed at the Club as a member with Karl Green’s band Dave’s Not Here, and in earlier years played & recorded with 'Sparrow' in the early 70s with Elaine Paige others from the hit musical 'Hair' and more recently with Richard Scarfe (Love Affair).
Bassist Martin Connolly has played stints with Rick Wakeman, and drummer Russ Chaney was with the top blues/rock outfit The Mick Clarke Band (he of Killing Floor fame), The Larry Miller Band and others.
Their well-honed act features classic rock and pop from the 60s and 70s in proper Sunbury Music Club style, and they will be a welcome addition to our Music Night roster.
There’s more info on their Facebook page at https://en-gb.facebook.com/StanBlandBand.
Food will be available as usual.
Error in Autumn Newsletter "Slumboats" Article
It has been pointed out following publication of our Autumn Newsletter (see below) that the email given on the back page ‘slumboats’ article is incorrect and should read: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ROR2 is not some rival breakaway group but a recently constituted group for our stretch of the river, based on the successful ROR model set up for the Kingston stretch some years ago.
Autumn Newsletter May be Viewed Here
Our Autumn newsletter which headlines with the latest news on the progress of the Local Plan is currently with the printers and will be in the course of distribution to all households commencing next weekend.
Shepperton Players Present Arsenic & Old Lace at the RAC on 11 -13 October
Shepperton Players present "Arsenic & Old Lace" October 11/12/13 at 8pm.
A black comedy by Joseph Kesselring. Made famous by the Cary Grant film, this is a darkly comic of the most murderous family in America.
Riverside Arts Centre, 59 Thames Street.
Box office 07505 206 757 or sheppertonplayers.org.uk
Parks and Open Spaces - Winter Closing Times
From 1 October our parks and open spaces closing times are changing for the winter.
They are now as follows:
Opening time: 7.30am
Closing time: 6pm
These times will remain the same until 1 April 2019.
Sorry, Another Consultation which may Require your Input!
You may have seen recently from local news that a proposed route has been chosen for the aviation fuel pipeline which runs through parts of Surrey. You are invited to give your views at the next phase of a statutory consultation which has been launched, the details of which can be found on the following website: www.slpproject.co.uk
There is a number of exhibition events coming up in the next few weeks; in particular there’s one in Ashford on Saturday 13th October 2018 at the Salvation Army Woodthorpe Rd TW15 3JY from 11am to 5pm.
Local residents and landowners are welcome to come along and have their say on this project or perhaps you may wish to write on the web site www.slpproject.co.uk or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or respond by post to: FREEPOST SLP PROJECT. The consultation closes on Friday 19th October 2018.
Concert by the Barfield Handbell Orchestra, 6th October at St. Mary’s Church
The Friends of St Mary's (F.o.S.M.), are pleased to present the popular Barfield Handbell Ringers, who come together from a wide area covering Surrey and Hants., to perform a varied programme over 5½ octaves of bells, 3 octaves of hand chimes and other instruments.
Don't miss this opportunity to see and hear their unique sound while helping us to raise funds for our current Restoration projects!
Tickets £10 on the door or £9 pre-booked and for F.o.S.M. Members on 01932 785807or 01932 785035.
We look forward to seeing you there. 7.00pm. on October 6th 2018 St Mary's Church, Church Street, Sunbury-on-ThamesTW16 6RG
(Further information on our website: www.fosmsunbury.org.uk or see: www.barfield.org.uk)
DART HOUSE, Thames Street - LOSRA to Oppose 7 Flat Development
It is highly regrettable that advice of this application (dated 2.08.18) was not made known to local residents and no public notice had been posted on the front of the building (a requirement which should have beem met by the applicant). A number of residents discovered simply by word of mouth. Nevertheless, we are where we are and time is now very limited as representations must be submitted by 19.09.18. This said, we are aware that late submissions will be considered provided they are received before determination.
Whilst LoSRA will be opposing this application, it is essential that all interested parties make their views known, no matter how briefly, by going to: Spelthorne Planning Applications Online, and search for Dart House. Application 18/01186/FUL.
Click here to view the application
The grounds on which our opposition is being formulated will include the following:
Adequacy of Parking/Loading/Turning
LOSRA understands that, in accordance with the Supplementary Planning Document 2011 on parking standards, a development of this size outside a town centre should include provisions for at least 12 off-street parking spaces. This proposal shows six underground parking bays, accessible via a lift/turntable system from street level. This is clearly woefully inadequate and non-compliant with planning guidance. Options for on-street parking simply don’t exist in this locality.
Design, Appearance and Materials
Whilst the architectural sketches make selected reference to the existing street scene, and the potential reuse of original brickwork, the concept design clearly demonstrates a desire to introduce modern features to the building façade including:
- Anodised aluminium window frames, panels and dormer cheeks
- Obscure anodised aluminium panelling
- Rendered diagonal recessing
- Shuttered ( presumably metallic) garage doors
- LOSRA believes that these architectural features would be totally incongruous with the surrounding street scene, and the adjoining properties.
Effect on Conservation Areas
The Lower Sunbury Conservation Area is a special feature of our village, and is dear to the hearts of our residents. This site is the first riverside architectural feature on the western aspect of the Conservation Area and therefore defines the character and appearance which LOSRA endeavour to preserve. Furthermore, with the site being situated on the bank of the river Thames, and adjacent to Flower Pot Green, it is part of a vista that has been celebrated in photographs and painting (Daphne Clements amongst others). Accordingly, we believe the site must be protected from this type of development, and that the proposal to demolish the building in these circumstances is wholly inappropriate for the Conservation Area.
Effect on Listed Buildings
Unsurprisingly, due to its prominent location within the Conservation Area, this site is adjacent to a cluster of listed buildings, including The Flower Pot Pub, Northolt, Thames Cottage and Riverside House. The site is also in the immediate vicinity of the grade II listed St Mary’s Church, The Old Vicarage, Old Manor Farm Cottage and Sunbury Nursing Lodge.
Policy EN5 (f) requires “development proposals for any sites affecting the setting of a listed building to have special regard to the need to preserve its setting.” The appearance of the proposed building will destroy the current visual balance of the approach into Sunbury from the West: it has no relationship to the Flower Pot or any of the other buildings in the street, let alone as part of the framing for a view of the church. The proposed design is both highly obtrusive and out of character and harmony within the conservation setting.
Highway safety
This property is directly alongside a busy roundabout, where unfortunately there have been a large number of accidents, including a recent pedestrian fatality. LOSRA encourage both the County Highways Authority and the Planning Officer to consider the proposal very carefully. LOSRA believe that the proposed development is both impractical and unsafe.
Layout and density of buildings
The development plans present a much larger building than the existing property, both in terms of footprint and the height. LOSRA believes this constitutes a substantial overdevelopment of the site that would significantly increase the density of buildings within that corner of the Lower Sunbury Conservation Area.
Overbearing & Overshadowing
Policy EN1 (b) requires that the building “achieves a satisfactory relationship to adjoining properties avoiding significant harmful impact in terms of loss of privacy, daylight or sunlight, or overbearing effect due to bulk and proximity of outlook.”
This proposal represents a drastic increase of both the footprint and the height of the building. We believe that this would have a negative impact on the relationship with adjoining properties. We also submit that, given the site location and orientation relative to Flower Pot Green, the building would have a harmful impact on the amount of sunlight reaching important designated common land within the Lower Sunbury Conservation Area.
Previous planning decisions
A pertinent comment on a previous proposal for developing the site, made by the Council’s (then) Listed Buildings and Conservation Officer: “We have particular concern about the starkness of the proposed building and in particular the modern designed roof…” The sentiment is every bit as valid in respect of the proposed development.
We are at pains to point out that our Association is not necessarily opposed to the development of this site; but what is proposed in this application represents an over-development in scale which is completely out of sympathy with the street scene and out of character in the Lower Sunbury Conservation Area.
