The Epsom Protection Society
Newsletter 88 - Summer 2001
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The Chairman's Commentary John Hampton
       
Thank you to all those who attended our AGM and the support you gave to the executive committee and officers of your Society. In the current political and economic scene it is important to make known the views we share on the need to maintain a historic and 'sustainable' environment in our town.

Two examples underline the difficulties in assessing proposals for development. In the Upper High Street between the Odeon and a block of new offices there survives a pair of semi-detached Victorian villas that date from the mid 19th century and villas of similar date with later 'bungalow' shop fronts. Whilst these buildings form an important role in illustrating the development of Epsom Town, there are also modern needs to be met. (See overleaf for a more detailed discussion of this and the following issue.) The other example in a quite different setting is the Rubbing House. The existing building is a late 19th century replacement for an earlier building of historic importance to racing and the Downs. It reflects a traditional use as a 'grandstand' and it is particularly important that a sense of continuity is maintained. Whilst not opposing the proposals we have suggested that the existing iron balustrade is retained and reused in the new building. And it must be said that if there are any other elements from this, or perhaps even earlier buildings, it would be good if they could be incorporated in the new structure as points of interests.

I return to a theme raised in the last Newsletter. VOLUNTEERS!! In common with other voluntary societies our survival depends on a constant flow of people willing to give of their time. As many of you will know, Tom Dethridge has been in hospital, but happily is now home again. However, he has decided to relinquish his role as Editor of this Newsletter. Margaret Rogers has generously agreed to take on this task as temporary Editor until a more permanent arrangement can be made. Therefore we urgently need somebody to take on this responsibility. Equally, we need a replacement for Angela Clifford, who is acting as temporary Secretary, and, whilst willing to continue as Minutes Secretary, wishes to withdraw from the 'Society Secretary' aspect of this role. These are important posts within the Society: your help is urgently required, and, for those who feel a little diffident, help and advice will be at hand. Incidentally, we may be able to help with a word processor if one were needed.

On a more positive note, our plea for a new Auditor in the spring Newsletter was answered by Harry Wilkinson, OBE. We are delighted to welcome him.

Annual General Meeting, 4th April 2001

The meeting was opened by the Chairman, who welcomed the fifty or so members present, and the guest speaker, Councillor Keith Mann. The Chairman reported on the major activities of the past year and illustrated some of the issues raised with slides, including ones of the Ebbisham Centre and the new building for the Epsom College of Art and Design.

After the election of officers, (see overleaf) and the recording of the Society's thanks to Bill Pittman, who retired after long service as our Auditor, Councillor Mann gave us a succinct account of the responsibilities of the Development Commission in the management of our Borough. The Commission's remit includes a strategy for the Town, forward planning and budget setting. Individual planning applications remain the responsibility of the Planning Committee. The Chairman thanked the Councillor on behalf of the members for his illuminating talk.

Volunteers: you will have read this call by the Chairman, and as I shall not be standing for this post next year, the need is urgent. As someone who originally volunteered just to take the Minutes, I can honestly say the support from the rest of the Committee and their enthusiasm makes the job both interesting and informative - I had no idea there was so much to planning. Please come forward and offer your services.

Planning Alan Baker

Some of the more important and interesting recent items are noted for your information.

Glanmire Farm, Rushett Lane Following my comments in the Spring Newsletter, confirmation was received from Kingston Council that no planning permission had been granted and that the Secretary of State was still waiting for further information before deciding whether to call in the application to be dealt with by his department. To do this would involve a Public Inquiry at which the three Councils (Kingston, Epsom and Mole Valley) and local people could all make representations. If he decided to leave it to Kingston, the outcome might be judged from the fact that their Members have already twice indicated that the principle of a diving lake could be acceptable subject to further details being supplied. We have consistently objected on the grounds of its effect on the adjoining environment and on traffic in Rushett Lane, and we have asked the Government Office for London to call the application in.

20-26 Upper High Street These are the two pairs of large Victorian houses including the Liberal Club, solicitors' offices, and bungalow front shops. A revised application for redevelopment has been submitted following the refusal of a bulky proposal last September. Your Executive Committee considered this application and a site visit took place at which the planning case officer discussed the proposals with us. The design is much improved and shops are included instead of a pub and restaurant, with flats on the upper floors looking inwards on to a landscaped courtyard, and a new social club fronting Depot Road at the rear. We concluded that it was no longer practicable to seek the refurbishment of the existing buildings. We welcomed some of the revisions, but commented adversely on the height and bulk of the rear part of the proposed flats. We also suggested further improvements to the design of the Upper High Street frontage; criticised the low level of car parking and the difficulty of entrances to the flats and emphasised the importance of selecting appropriate facing materials. A decision is likely to be made at the May Planning Committee.

Dame Annis Barn, 16 Burgh Heath Road What appeared to be a straightforward application for a vehicle crossover would in fact have a major impact on the dog leg bend in Burgh Heath Road just north of Lynwood Road. At the apex of this bend there is a small green, with a long established Norway Maple Tree, which is a prominent and desirable feature of the road when travelling south out of Epsom. The access to the house is very difficult by reason of the bend in the road, but the proposal to make a new access over the green would have such a damaging effect on the Conservation Area that we objected and suggested a more practical alternative using the made-up section of the bridle path leading to Rifle Butts Alley.

Site of Epsom Downs School, Grosvenor Road, Langley Vale An application was made to develop the site of this school for housing - to which no exception could be taken in principle - to the extent of five detached and eight semi-detached houses - to which exception could be, and was, taken. The site is steeply sloping and the blocks of semis behind the detached houses on the frontage were excessive and damaging to the adjoining premises. A revised application reducing the number by one was very little improvement and we again objected. The result is not yet known.

Downsend School, Norman Avenue Norman Avenue is a quiet private residential cul-de-sac off Denham Road and adjoining Alexandra Recreation Ground. The two end houses were used for many years as a nursery school for local children, and were later taken over by Downsend School, a large private school in Leatherhead. There is now a capacity for 130 children, and most of these come from a distance by car, causing great disruption. An application was received last August to build extensions taking up a large part of the garden and providing a school hall, a kitchen, additional storage and extra car parking. We objected on the grounds of unsuitable intensification of the school use, over-development of the site and increase in traffic. The local residents were unanimously opposed, as evidenced by the packed gallery at the April Planning Committee. After a long debate the application was refused against the recommendation of the Officers, but referred to full Council where it was again refused with only two votes in favour of the scheme.

"The Rubbing House" Public House, Epsom Downs This proposal is described by John in his Chairman's Commentary and involves the replacement of the present building by a new public house in country-pub pastiche style. We have heard opinion expressed that the demolition of the present building should have been opposed. The application was debated by the Executive Committee and we felt that such opposition was not justified, but we made a number of detailed suggestions with a view to improving the overall effect on this important site.

Sainsbury's Premises, High Street We had objected to the height and bulk of the proposed flats at the rear of this site, and the application was refused at the March Planning Committee. A revised scheme is being negotiated but proposes only minor improvem ents and we have maintained our objection.

Mr. Trees reports Mike Ford

Hospital Cluster In the Spring Newsletter I reported planned tree loses on the Horton site that were unacceptable. Since then a revised lay-out has been produced and I am hoping to have a site visit soon to assess the impact on the trees. Problems with the proximity of trees to the new buildings should not really be arising. If you think of the existing buildings which are in harmony with some magnificent trees, then why are we having these continuing problems if they are supposed to be building on the existing footprint?

On to the Boiler House site where an application is in for a leisure centre. The plans are a great improvement on the previous ones - no buildings on the open meadow, the main sports hall of a more harmonious size, better landscaping incorporating beech hedges to mimic the detail on the listed Sherwood building and over forty semi-mature trees with many smaller ones and new hedgerows. In all a great improvement. The site also contains many self-seeded trees which I have asked to be retained where possible because nature itself can do a good job on its own.

Planting The Council has planted about 350 new trees this season all round the Borough. The scheme, started in Longdown Lane some years ago, has been reinforced with replacements and additions and is starting to look something at last. Trees take time to establish themselves and that is why we must all do our utmost to protect existing healthy ones and keep on planting!

Woodcote Millennium Green I have donated some Yews and Scots Pine to the project, with the Scots Pine (grown from seed) appropriately enough being planted nearer to Pine Hill. The avenue of Lime planted earlier this year looks fine and will eventually enhance the Green.

Trees and Planning Matters As Alan reports, the Society has objected to an application for a cross-over in Burgh Heath Road. It would mean the loss of a very nice Norway Maple and a small green open space. There is the alternative and I have been involved in making this known, stating that the tree must stay at all costs. There have been many objections to this application.

The Ebbisham Centre was previously known as the Lifestyle Centre. I now have another name for it: the Ebbisham Desert - vast areas of paving slabs with three trees hidden around the corner and another three behind the listed cottage in Waterloo Road.

Under Planning in the Spring Newsletter Alan Baker reported that the narrowing of the High Street entrance would not now take place and that a single storey conservatory-style building would be erected to one side. This would still reduce the width although with less impact. However, apparently three trees planned along the entrance would have the planting pits almost covered by the new building, giving little room for expansion later on. I think what is needed is an avenue of trees from the High Street to the Library steps. This would give a green welcoming effect to the new Centre and still leave room for emergency vehicles.

We seem to be at a crossroads with all these planning applications in the Town centre - they are filling up all available space and our openness is being eroded. Think of the Waterboard site, the Ebbisham Centre, the Upper High Street development next to the Odeon - in all of these trees have taken second place. In Upper High Street, if permission is granted, one tree will replace two listed ones that will be lost. We need more not fewer if our town is to remain green.

Events Judith Christie
West's Walkabout, Sunday, 17 June

We meet outside the Chalk Lane Hotel, Chalk Lane, Epsom at 2.30 p.m. and Ian will take us on a walk of the surrounding Conservation Area, lasting about two hours. We must warn you that there is very little parking possible in the immediate area.

Trip to Docklands, 7 July This trip is fully booked and has a waiting list. A reminder for those who do have tickets - don't forget to bring them with you and we leave promptly from the Town Hall car park (opposite Fire Station) at 9.30 a.m. and from Upper High Street car park at 9.40 a.m.

Heritage Open Days 2001


Every year the Civic Trust - a registered charity, dedicated to improving urban life - helps co-ordinate Heritage Open Days. For one weekend in the year, people get to visit the historic buildings of their neighbourhood, free of charge. This year, Epsom and Ewell buildings will be open on the 8th and 9th September.

Last year's open day was a great success - eight buildings were on show to the public, hundreds of people turned up, and a good time was had by all. It would be wonderful if we could be as successful this year.

But we need your help

When the buildings are open, they need stewards to show people around. About two dozen volunteers are wanted to help with this year's Heritage Open Days. It isn't very difficult - you work in pairs, for a morning or afternoon shift. You don't need any special knowledge of architecture - full opportunities are given to familiarise yourself with the building.

The Protection Society has been registered with the Civic Trust since we were founded in 1959, just two years after the Trust itself came into being, and we would like to give them our support. Are you free for a morning or afternoon on Saturday 8th September or Sunday 9th September? If so, we would welcome your help. Please contact Bourne Hall Museum, who are co-ordinating the project. Phone 020 8394 1734, or email j.harte@bournehall.free-online.co.uk. Thanks!

Proposal for family and local history Centre Angela Clkifford


Now that the new Library has opened in Epsom, it is hoped to establish a new Centre at Bourne Hall. The idea is to have available such items as local maps, Parish Records, Census Returns, Tithe Maps and Awards, Enclosure Records, Rights of Way maps and many records such as those held by the Nonsuch Antiquarian Society; the History Centre at Woking will also be closely involved, with some of their material being transferred or duplicated.

Jeremy Harte, Curator of the Museum, will be working closely with the staff and Library personnel will also cover the Centre. If volunteers also were willing to help, it would mean coverage could be much more comprehensive. They would be trained in research techniques and how to use all the technology such as microfilm, fiche readers and computer terminals.

Opening hours will to a certain extent be governed by the number of volunteers as the amount of time Library staff can devote to the Centre would be limited. Also the presence of staff working solely for the Centre would perhaps enable more facilities to be available - e.g. some resources not being locked away and more time spent helping individuals with their queries. At first it is hoped to open one day a week during Library hours and if possible on a Saturday. To volunteer or for more information please telephone Jean Walsh at Bourne Hall Library.

Subscriptions Ishbel Kenward


Thank you to all those who have already taken their subscriptions to their Rep. instead of waiting for the Rep. to call again - it is greatly appreciated. A reminder for those who have not yet paid - subscriptions are due by the end of June at the latest - £1 per person, £1.50 per household. Many thanks for the generous donations we have received.



Newsletter Editor Margaret Rogers


When the Chairman refers to me as "temporary" Editor, I suspect that his interpretation of "temporary" is different from mine. I would not want us to be without a Newsletter but I had been enjoying, and looking forward to enjoying, a life of leisure after all these years, so please somebody volunteer!



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