Further to the article posted on 20th February, we are very pleased to report that over 150 protesters gathered at the Civic Centre in Esher for the Full Council Meeting on Wednesday 27th February, representing an alliance of interested parties: residents affected by Waterside Drive proposals, including LOSRA Committee members; residents affected by Stompond Lane proposals and supporters of Walton & Hersham Football Club (WHFC) who have played at Stompond Lane for 80 years.
A double decker bus arrived carrying WHFC fans who proceeded to wave banners and placards calling for the council to “Save Stompond Lane” as councillors arrived for the meeting.
The public gallery was packed beyond its standing room capacity and extra committee rooms were opened to accommodate the crowd. The level of public turnout evidently took Council officials by surprise, with comments made by the Mayor, Cllr Janet Turner, Cllr Chris Sadler. The Reverend called upon councillors to consider the communities they represented during the prayers.
Cllr Stuart Selleck called for a further amendment to the Stompond Lane development proposal for an "appropriate period of consultation with the public and relevant stakeholders be held in close proximity to the Stompond Lane sports ground". The Council leader, John O’Reilly agreed to a ‘significant period of consultation prior to the planning application for Stompond Lane… with a reasonable expectation that, as part of that consultation, amendments will be made and taken on board’.
Whilst this was good news for supporters of Stompond Lane, LOSRA will be calling for a similar consultation process to be held with Sunbury residents before a detailed Planning submission is drawn up for the sports stadium complex at Waterside Drive. The scheme submitted last year was poorly designed, and there was no input sought from Spelthorne representatives.
