The Epsom Protection Society
Newsletter 87 - Spring 2001
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The Chairman's Commentary John Hampton
       
Over the past year two important consultation papers have been circulated: each represents steps along the path of public participation. In June, English Heritage issued Our Questions for You. Under five headings - Understanding, Belonging, Experiencing, Caring and Enriching - a series of questions were posed by five working parties. The results of this exercise, encapsulating a number of recommendations, were published as Power of Place, The Future of the Historic Environment (Dec. 2000). The fundamental nature of this enquiry should not be lost to view and a Government response is expected in March.

The basic thrust of the approach is underlined in the initial question paper 3: 'This is our vision:
Whilst broad issues at national level demand attention and set the framework, all too often the impetus is lost when we come to a local level (we have all experienced the road paved with good intentions!). Essentially it is often the involved members of societies such as ours who ensure that intentions are actually applied on the ground.

The second paper is the deposit draft of the Surrey Structure Plan, Shaping Surrey's Future (Jan 2001). This comprehensive review covers some forty topic headings, such as The Location of Development, Sustaining the Environment, Protecting the Heritage, etc. Iit is difficult to escape one conclusion, that in the plethora of issues raised, there will be inevitable conflict of interests. For example, under the heading 'Sustaining the Environment', Policy SE 4, Protecting the Heritage, says 'Surrey's heritage of buildings, sites and landscapes will be conserved and enhanced...' and comments, 'Every effort should be made ... encouraging the sensitive re-use of historical buildings for purposes which meet economic or social needs.' But, one may ask, what is the reality when it comes to buildings such as 'our' Waterloo House? We understand the building has been sold by National Counties Building Society, but what now? Will economics allow us to achieve the 'sensitive re-use' mentioned above? And what about the 'social need', for it could be argued that the re-use of the Long Room by the public for 'social' purposes would be highly appropriate. All we can say is watch this space!

My attention has been drawn to a public meeting arranged by the Council to consider community and planning issues raised by the proposed sale and development of West Park Hospital and aspects of the Hospital Cluster complex. The date is Saturday, 3rd March at 10am, the venue, Pine Lodge, Horton Lane (next to the Garden Centre). This should be an important and interesting occasion.

Once again I have to ask you, the Membership, for volunteers. At some stage our temporary Secretary, Angela Clifford, will wish to be replaced. Temporary does mean just that! The duties take about one evening a month, plus some typing. This is a key role in the Society, and, for a newcomer, we have experienced helpers and advisers at hand! Whilst we are on the subject of volunteers, we would welcome a person who is interested in photographing buildings and it is worth mentioning that we are all getting older, so, if you have an inclination to become more active in the Society, please let me know.

And still along the same lines, we have to record our indebtedness to Bill Pittman, who has carried out the work of auditing the Society accounts for the past eleven years since 1990, an essential task for any organisation receiving and spending its Members' money. Nor do we forget that earlier he served as Treasurer 1982-85 when pressure of his own work led him to resign. Both jobs he has performed quietly and efficiently and he has earned the Society's grateful thanks. We are pleased that he remains a Member of EPS. So now we are looking for a replace Hon. Auditor and I should be very pleased if another Member would come forward to take on this role to carry out an essential annual undertaking.

Hope to see you all at the AGM on 4th April.

Planning Alan Baker

Ashley Centre
There has been no news so far about any revised advertisement application, but Members will have seen that alterations near the lifts are in hand. We understand that these will involve an extended first floor balcony to be occupied by a McDonalds restaurant, with a coffee bar on the ground floor. This may well bring life into the upper level, although we have reservations about the use. Apart from some limited external work the alterations did not need planning permission. Hospital Cluster - Boiler House Site The development brief has been approved by the Development Commission and outline planning permission based on the brief has been granted. This will be used as a basis for the marketing of the site. In the meantime Sir Archie Hamilton MP has replied to say that he has obtained an assurance from the Chairman of the NHS Executive that the long term preservation of the listed building is secure and that steps are being taken to keep it safe and free from any further deterioration. There must still be some element of risk and we are keeping our fingers crossed. Glanmire Farm, Rushett Lane
This continues to cause concern. Supplementary details have been submitted to Kingston, who are the planning authority for this property just over the Epsom & Ewell Borough boundary, supporting the application to construct a man-made scuba diving lake some 140-160m in diameter and up to 20m deep. We have continued to object to this intrusion into the Green Belt on a site which adjoins Epsom Common, Ashtead Common and Newton Wood, all of which are Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The use would also involve another major access into Rushett Lane. There has been a suggestion that the application was invalid as an outline application for a change of use.

We have again written to the Government Office for London asking for the matter to be called in for decision by the Secretary of State in view of the objections by adjoining Councils. They say in reply that they are still waiting for further details before the application can be considered and in the meantime a holding direction continues to apply. This is encouraging and seems to counter the fear that outline permission may already have been given by Kingston.

Rainbow Leisure Centre, East Street
The Council's proposals for the Rainbow Centre have come through as a planning application for the demolition of the existing building and the erection of a new centre with provision for improved leisure and recreational facilities. You will remember that the front area already has permission for office development. We saw no reason to object, but we should expect Epsom residents to become exceptionally fit (or exhausted) if all these centres are fully subscribed! This one can be added to the Holmes Place premises in the Lifestyle Centre and the one referred to in the next item, as well as a proposal for extra provision at the RAC Club.

Sainsbury's Premises, High Street
The marketing of the former Sainsbury's shop has failed to produce any interest from a food retailer and an application has now been made for planning permission for changes. These include the division of the ground floor shop into two units and the use of the first floor as yet another leisure centre. The erection at the rear of a residential block of 51 private and 17 affordable apartments is proposed and we are somewhat concerned about the height of the building. This seems a strange location for flats and it remains to be seen whether permission will be forthcoming.

Lifestyle Centre (now called the Ebbisham Centre)
Part of the Centre is now open and three eating and drinking establishments are trading. The original proposal for the ground floor units was a mixture of retail and restaurant use and the planning permission was conditional on not less than 3 units being permanently reserved for shop use. Two specialist agents have marketed the units and found that whilst retailers regarded the location as unestablished and quite secondary, restaurant chains were very interested. An application has therefore been made to use the four remaining units for restaurants/bars. The effect would be the use of the two parts of the Centre - The Derby Square and The Oaks Square - for virtually entirely restaurant/bar purposes. We have written to say that our first reaction is that the emphasis should be on retail but in view of the marketing reaction it is difficult to oppose the application. We felt, however, that if permission were granted, a firmer line could be taken in refusing restaurant use in the established retail areas of the more central part of the town.

When the Centre was being planned, we objected to the proposed narrowing of the entrance from the High Street by extending one of the adjoining shops. This seems to have been dropped and a current application proposes a single storey flower kiosk and coffee bar with a seating area amidst the proposed trees. We feel this to be a preferable design for the pedestrian entrance, which would avoid the overbearing effect of a larger building.

Mr Trees Reports Mike Ford

The Hospital Cluster
Following the loss of preserved trees removed from Long Grove without permission and failure to prosecute (because according to the Council there was insufficient evidence to prove who actually did the deed) the Planning Department is hoping to draw up a set of rules that will help prevent any further illegal fellings on the other hospital sites. We sincerely hope that they produce a worthwhile result in the shape of effective and enforceable planning conditions. Many of the trees on the West Park site are to be covered with Tree Preservation Orders during March. The layout of houses on the Horton site has been viewed and I consider some of the tree losses unacceptable. Around 60 trees are involved and while I am not unduly concerned about a fairly large number of Lombardy Poplars - many have been badly damaged in the past, possibly by strong winds, which have caused them to be pollarded and with new shoots that are rather weak and brittle and a possible future safety hazard - I am very concerned about some Sweet Chestnuts and London Planes among others. We also need to keep a special eye on the avenue of lime trees which runs past the Grade II listed chapel. This road is to become part of the bus route for the new estate but any widening would be unacceptable as it would encroach into the root systems and canopies of the limes.

Encouraging Birds
We have a Norway spruce (Christmas Tree) in a container on our patio. It has been there about five years and is now too big to bring inside but it still has its uses, as Britain's smallest bird is now paying it a regular visit. It seems that every afternoon a tiny goldcrest lands in the tree to scour the branches for spiders, insects and their eggs and larvae. As the tree is only three feet from our french doors, we get a really clear view of this beautiful little bird and its fascinating behaviour. With media reports that our bird population is decreasing, I am sure that we could all do more to encourage birds into our gardens by planting shrubs and trees that provide them with food. Holly and pyracanthus are good examples. Firecrests like conifers such as spruce and pine while the tit population go for birch and dogwood.

Planting and Losses
On 2nd December the Tree Advisory Board, of which I am Chairman, had a planting session at Poole Recreation Ground. We planted lime, London plane and Turkish Hazel, all of which seem to have settled in well. A good specimen of a semi-mature Turkish Hazel can be seen on the corner of Worple Road and Church Street. Do note its beautiful pyramidical shape.

It was sad to see the old Copper Beach go on the Silver Birches site but it was diseased and presenting a danger to the public. There will be some new trees going in shortly all around this area. Watch this space for details of specimens and species.

The Downs John Murray

As hopefully Members will have noticed - and appreciated - the refurbishment of the various horsewalks is approaching its conclusion; this programme has been funded by the Horserace Betting Levy Board and the remaining works are the track from Nohome Farm to Epsom Lane North and two tracks across the golf course. We have stressed upon the Conservators our opposition to the public being charged for use of various car parks on the Downs and this principle is, we feel, now agreed.

The condition of the surface of Mile Post Car Park has been much improved by use of hard-core material removed from the Walton Road prior to this road being grassed over.

The Conservators are also seriously considering improving vehicle control into Grandstand Road Car Park by creating two entrances with a bank between, alongside the road, thereby, it would be hoped, much reducing the damage presently caused by heavy lorries, etc., being eased into it along its unprotected length.

At a recent Consultative Committee Meeting we expressed our concern at the decline in the number of horses in training and indeed in training stables on the Downs. Epsom now has 3 all-weather tracks and miles of gallops but whereas in 1970 there were 19 Epsom trainers and 520 horses, there are now just 12 trainers and 220 horses. We feel that the trainers themselves are making vigorous efforts to revitalise Epsom as a training centre but their efforts must be actively supported by all concerned including the three local authorities involved. Further we feel that every pressure must be placed on Surrey County Council to reduce permitted traffic speeds substantially on the roads used by racehorses so as to minimise risk of further fatality to horses and indeed to their riders. Members' views or ideas to improve the above problem would be welcomed.

Events Judith Christie

AGM Wednesday 4th April

Outing to Docklands Saturday 7th July (NB - This event is now fully subscribed) This trip will take in many of the fascinating places in the City alongside the Thames. Our guide will be Lesley, an entertaining and highly knowledgable woman who will take us to the Isle of Dogs, Canary Wharf, the Pool of London, St Katherine Docks, the Old Custom Houses at Wapping and a number of other venues. We shall be visiting the Hays Gallery, where Members will be able to buy lunch at the many restaurants or cafes, or if preferred, may bring a picnic lunch.

The cost will be £9.50 (including driver's tip). The coach will depart from the Town Hall Car Park opposite the Fire Station, Church Street, at 9.30 am and from Upper High Street Car Park 9.40, returning Epsom 6.30-7.0 pm. Please be in good time.

EPS and the Internet Piers Nicholson

Members will be glad to know that we are taking the first steps to establishing an Internet presence for the Society. Many of you will know of the local community website, Epsom and Ewell on the Internet www.epsom.townpage.co.uk. Piers Nicholson, the webmaster of this site, is also a member of the EPS committee and has given the Society an entry in the societies page, in which all local societies are given a free listing. During the summer, the Heritage Day was widely publicised on this website and thus helped to ensure the success of this project, which is to be much expanded this year.

Another important initiative is the production of a separate webpage on Waterloo House. Members will know of our continuing concern about the fate of this unique building, which ought to be a national treasure but instead is slowly sliding into decay as it continues empty. The webpage summarises the unique history of this interesting building and is illustrated with photographs and drawings. It also contains a panel about the aims of the Epsom Protection Society with a contact address. It is hoped that we shall obtain some new members from this source.

Members may also be interested in the Bourne Hall Outreach Programme which is a joint venture between the Bourne Hall Museum and Epsom and Ewell on the Internet. The explanatory captions from nearly 30 past exhibitions at Bourne Hall have been made into web pages, so that the very interesting information assembled for these exhibitions continues to be available for a local - and an international - audience. The page about Mrs. Beeton is the most popular of these with over 100 page accesses a month; other pages cover subjects as diverse as Saxon Times, the Visits of Mr. Pepys and the history of the cinema locally. They are well worth a visit!

Keith Charles

EPS Members are by definition observant - ever watchful to see what happens in and to our town. So you will have noticed that we have now got round to updating our view of the Downs at the head of the Newsletter. For this we have to thank Keith Charles, Epsom's "nearly famous artist" (his description). In a note in an earlier number, we reported that Keith had helped us with the vignettes which grace the Newsletter (it was the Editor's fault we were using an out-of-date one!).

Elsewhere you will find a note from Keith telling how he is helping to spread the protection gospel among the young. Perhaps you can assist.

Bygone Epsom The Editor

The Earth Bourne
(Bourn: Small stream (cf burn) esp. stream that runs periodically from spring in the chalk - Dictionary definition)

The heavy and prolonged rains of recent months and resultant flooding will long remain in the memories of those who experienced them. Not so far away the River Mole burst its banks and even our normally placid Hogsmill sprang a few surprises, while our local newspapers carried pictures of the High Street under water.

It was enough to revive tales of Epsom's "Earth Bourne" (so spelt in an official report of 1849). This was described as an intermittent spring spreading across the valley between Church Street and Dorking Road, an area comprised of greensand and chalk fragments overlying the chalk stratum. The water often rose within one or two feet of the surface, sometimes emerging right out of the ground. Due to the absorbent capacity of chalk, water from excessive rain would collect below ground but be unable to leak away through the normal outlets, until mounting pressure forced it upwards 'like a syphon.'

The timing and duration of the bourn were irregular, sometimes missing two or three years, then manifesting itself in successive ones, but would almost inevitably follow a wet summer, often from about the turn of the year up to May or June. Its water, incidentally, was said to be beautifully clear and sweet.

The 19th century schemes formulated for Epsom's water supply, drainage and sewerage aimed to take this phenomenon into account and the Earth Bourne is no longer a common visitation. But as Millennium Year has shown we ignore water's latent power at our peril.



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