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.
Manor Lane Cottage, 126, Green Street - A development too Far?
The vast majority of single dwelling development applications imply improvements not only for their owners but in the local housing stock generally. Occasionally however, this Association feels bound to object when an application is likely to impact adversely on the wider community; and the proposed development of a site currently occupied by a single bungalow (Manor Farm Cottage) into a block of nine (1 x 1 bed and 8 x 2 bed) flats at the busy road junction of Green Street and Manor Lane falls squarely into that category.
Residents who wish to make representations have until 24th May to do so. Submissions may be made via the planning portal at the Spelthorne Council Website quoting reference number: 17/00649/FUL.
Our Chairman has written on behalf of the Association and his submission may be viewed by clicking here
Update on night lighting in Spelthorne
The reinstatement of street lighting in Spelthorne has been of major concern to local residents in Lower Sunbury. The following announcement from Spelthorne Borough Council explains the position as it currently stands:
“Street lighting is the responsibility of the County Council. In October 2016 the County Council's Cabinet approved a decision to implement part-night lighting across Surrey. This was rolled out in Spelthorne in March 2017.
“Due to concerns raised by residents, a high proportion of whom are shift workers, an agreement was made in principle between the Leaders of Spelthorne Borough Council and Surrey County Council to reinstate the lights in Spelthorne for an initial period of five years, on the understanding that the Borough Council would find the necessary funding.
“Spelthorne Council was hopeful that this could be implemented quickly. However the decision was made by the County Council's Cabinet and any amendment must be referred back to that decision-making body. We have been assured that this will be on the agenda for 30 May 2017. If approved a date for the lights to be switched back on will be available after this meeting.”
Further information on the consultation and decision is here
County Council Election Results
The County Council Election results may be viewed by clicking here
Hawkedale May Fair - Saturday 20th May, 1pm - 4pm
Hawkedale Infant School, in Stratton Road, warmly invites you to come and join in the fun and support your local school.
We have a fantastic programme for the whole family; The Lagan will entertain us with live Irish music, Earthsong will offer a drumming workshop and you can get up close and personal in the animal petting zoo. There will be crafts, tea, coffee & cakes, raffle, local traders, tombola's along with fantastic food from the BBQ and a licensed bar; for the whole family to enjoy
Admission £1 for adults & 50p for over 3's. Please note it is cash only.
Enjoy jazz at the Embroidery Gallery Friday 12th May
The Friends of Sunbury Embroidery are holding their next Gallery Gathering on Friday 5th May with a Springtime Social, with sophisticated gentle ‘live’ jazz courtesy of Café Society, a trio featuring Jonathan Whines (saxes and flute), Gerry Cook (guitar) and Roger Harding (bass).
Tickets are £5.00, including a glass of wine and are available from the Embroidery Gallery, in the Walled Garden, behind the Magpie Car Park in Thames Street, or just come along and pay on the night.
It’s a chance to enjoy some excellent music in the delightful informal surroundings of the Gallery and café, and have a stroll round the award-winning Walled Garden.
The event starts at 7.30pm and the music gets under way around 8pm.
Guitarist John Etheridge to Appear with Terence Collie Trio at the RAC on 14th May
John Etheridge's reputation in the jazz world cannot be overstated. A genuinely virtuosic fusion guitarist, Etheridge is one of a handful of players who can claim to have helped shape the character of modern jazz guitar.
He has been described by fellow fretsman Pat Metheny as 'one of the best guitarists in the world', a distinction that is due in no small part to his tireless exploration of the possibilities of his instrument.
A hugely respected artist in his own right, Etheridge also claims an impressive collaborative history, from his seminal work with groundbreaking fusion group Soft Machine to his longstanding status as the guitarist of choice for jazz icon Ste'phane Grappelli.
For more information on John, visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ John_Etheridge
Also appearing with John on the night:
- Piano – Terence Collie
- Bass – Dave Jones
- Drums – Rha Stranges
Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £9 via website: www.moodindigoevents.co.uk or £12 on the door
More...
The 60s All Stars to Bring Rip-roaring night to SCC on 5th May
The next Music Night at Sunbury Cricket Club is on Friday 5th May when the Club welcomes back one of their most popular bands “THE 60S ALL STARS” for what has now become something a traditional occasion with a bit of a party night to kick off the League cricket season.
The 60s All Stars always give us a rip-roaring night - comprising Mick Avory, the original and long-time drummer with the Kinks, Alan Lovell from the Swinging Blue Jeans, John Dee of The Foundations and Del Mandel, formerly with The George Harrison Band and Crispian St. Peters, they are one of the best revival bands around. We know that a hugely entertaining evening of wall-to-wall Sixties and rock ‘n’ roll classics is absolutely guaranteed, and we can look forward to a real fun evening. Pass the word around and bring your friends - this is one not to be missed.
There’s full info at www.the60sallstars.co.uk. There will be food available as usual from around 7p.m. £7.50 at the door. To see flier, click here.
Residents Say “No” to Revised Application at London Irish Site
When new home owners moved into the very desirable development at the former London Irish site they had bought in to the “Superior living in a beautifully landscaped setting....stunning 3, 4, and 5 bedroom houses combined with a village setting” in the Crest Nicholson prospectus and had paid prices commensurate with that vision.
It is not surprising therefore, that an amended application to replace the four x 5 bedroom houses with a block of 24 flats was viewed as a breach of good faith and would also irrevocably alter the character of the “village setting” marketed by Crest Nicholson themselves.
Local councillor, Alf Friday, combined with residents to oppose the application at Planning Committee and succeeded (against officer recommendation) to persuade the Committee to refuse unanimously on the grounds that ‘The proposed development, which is in a prominent location when entering the site through the southern access via The Avenue, would, by reason of the location and the scale, massing and height of the building, represent an overdevelopment of the site which would be out of character with and have an unacceptable impact on, the surrounding locality and would fail to make a positive contribution within the street scene, contrary to policy EN1 (a) of the Council’s Core Strategy and Policies DPD 2009.’ Crest Nicholson have 6 months to appeal this decision.
Eco Park Operations - Update
The following is an extract of an email received from Emma Jordan, Corporate Affairs Manager, Recycling and Recovery UK:
“....We are writing to let you know that works are getting underway to create the entrance and internal road layout for the Eco Park.
These works will last around six months and will affect access to the community recycling centre. As a result, waiting times may be affected, particularly at busy times. Temporary changes to the community recycling centre entry and exit roads during the works will be clearly marked and to help residents, we are extending the opening time to 6pm on weekdays from Monday 3 April until the end of September.
Our staff will continue to work to minimise disruption and will be on hand to help residents using the recycling centre. However during this period, residents may wish to visit the site when it is less busy (mid-week and earlier in the day) or use the nearest alternative community recycling centres at Martyrs Lane, Woking and Lyne Lane, Chertsey.
We will be displaying posters in the community recycling centre to advise residents of the works and we are also updating the project website.
We would be grateful if you could share this information with your networks and for those members representing residents associations, if you could notify your respective organisations.
If you have any queries regarding these works, please let us know.
Kind regards,
Emma Jordan
Corporate Affairs Manager
Recycling and recovery UK
Council welcomes rail announcement
Spelthorne Borough Council has welcomed the announcement by the Department for Transport that it intends to award FirstGroup the contract to operate the South Western rail franchise until at least 2024, in a joint venture with MTR.
FirstGroup has committed to deliver £1.2billion of investment and improve the experience for customers by delivering better trains, more seats and quicker journeys – all good news for the thousands of Spelthorne residents who use the rail network each day for work and leisure.
The Council has also taken the opportunity to reiterate its call for Zone 6 to be extended into the Borough and is supporting the work of the Spelthorne in the Zone campaign group which is meeting with the new rail operator to discuss reclassifying the zones. Currently Zone 6 ends at Feltham meaning oyster cards cannot be used at Spelthorne stations.
Spelthorne Council’s Deputy Chief Executive, Terry Collier, said: “Having a fast and efficient rail service is vitally important for Spelthorne and we hope the planned improvements will mean better journeys for passengers and provide a boost for the local economy. We look forward to working closely with FirstGroup and MTR in the coming months and progressing discussions about bringing Spelthorne into Zone 6.”
Are You an Artist or Member of an Arts Group?
LOSRA has received the following email from Spelthorne Council:
Are you an artist living in Spelthorne or a member of an arts group? Whatever your interest in the arts; from dance, theatre and fine art to film-making and poetry, the Spelthorne Arts Forum has something for you.
Come along to see displays on recent projects and meet with other artists and arts organisations. Also find out about the funding and support that is available in Spelthorne and have your say on what is important to you.
To book your place please contact the Leisure Services team on 01784 446433 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Louise King
PR and Communications Officer
Spelthorne Borough Council,
Council Offices, Knowle Green, Staines-upon-Thames, TW18 1XB
Tel: 01784 444260
Cows Return to Sunbury Park on 18th April
Our Spring 2017 newsletter (scroll down to 3rd April) announced the return of cows to Sunbury Park. Since publication we have now been notified that the cattle will be arriving on 18th April.
Cows will naturally graze the more dominant grass species and in turn allow the less plentiful plants to establish. The Council and Friends of Sunbury Park are striving, on our behalf, to encourage increased levels of wild flowers onto the site which would aid pollinating insects such as bees and butterflies.
The Manor Players present Breaking the Code at the RAC, 20th - 22nd April
At Bletchley Park, home of Britain's best codebreakers, and it's leafy surrounding, Alan Turing was hard at work turning his extravagant theories into reality - no easy feat at the height of the Second World War. The young and brilliant mathematician created a machine, an elementary computer that would crack the German Enigma code and win Britain the war.
Following the triumphs of VE and VJ day, Alan lived briefly in Hampton, Middlesex (working for the National Physics Laboratory [NPL]) before he found a new role as a professor at Manchester University. Now his sights were set on a bigger goal – the development of the modern computer. This was a goal he would never fully achieve after being publicly humiliated and having his character destroyed by the press due to the uncovering of his sexuality and later guilty verdict for indecency.
Hugh Whitemore’s classic play intertwines an account of Turing's most heroic hour with the story of his betrayal and neglect by the nation he had helped in its darkest hour.
The Manor Players present Whitemore’s play, Breaking the Code at the Riverside Arts Centre, 59, Thames Street; 20th – 22nd April at 8pm. Tickets £10.
On Saturday the tickets will increase to £15 to include a special talk by Lady Nichola Turing, show ticket, drink and nibbles.
Allotments now available
Announcement from the Council:
Want to grow your own fruit and vegetables? We have allotment plots available so get in touch if you are interested in renting one.
Contact us by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01784 451449.
