The Epsom Protection Society Newsletter 108 - Summer 2006

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The Annual General Meeting: The Chairman's Report

Geoffrey Stone

       
At the Annual General Meeting on the 27th April 2006, the Chairman reported as follows. We have developed a policy of active involvement indeed in some cases proactive and this requires effort and care. We aim to make informed and positive comments on planning and other issues in the interests of people who live in Epsom. In considering planning applications it is clearly more difficult to come to a balanced and well informed judgement about a controversial development than to adopt a negative NIMBY response. However that does not mean that we prejudice our independence nor that we do not fight strongly when the issue demands it; for example, housing on the Green Belt in Burgh Heath Road. There are nevertheless developments where it is better to admit that the balance of advantage lies in seeking to make it less undesirable than to adopt outright opposition. This was manifestly evident in relation to the two neighbouring sites in the centre of Epsom - the Station and what was known as Emperor House - both public eyesores and for years desperately needing change.

As you will know we have lost two long standing members of Committee John Hampton and John Murray. I am delighted to report that two new members have joined following their formal election at the AGM. Robert Austen who we had co-opted earlier is prepared to fill the conservation role and Nick Lock a most welcome enthusiastic member who will help to share the workload.

I accepted nomination for a fourth year as Chairman against my better judgement (as you may recall I promised to pass on the chair after two years). It was a time for reflection and, looking back at the strategy for the Society's future direction formulated by the Committee over three years ago, we seem to have delivered on all the major tasks then identified. This has been achieved by dedicated committee members working as a team backed up by the continued support of the membership. Thank you all!

However the horizons continue to widen, there is no shortage of tasks to tackle and we do need more help - my perennial plea. If you have any skills to offer please write or talk to me

Planning

Alan Baker

At the AGM I commented on some of the more prominent cases during the last year. The following notes report on the current situation. That these are mostly cases where we have objected in no way detracts from Geoffrey's comments at that meeting that in discussing major schemes with developers we make a point of giving positive suggestions as well as criticisms.

Proposed superstore, 40-58 Upper High Street: This is by far the most controversial proposal that the town has seen for many years, bringing to the edge of the town centre a store of similar size to Sainsburys in Kiln Lane or Asda at Burgh Heath and designed to attract one of the major retailers. Opinions range from welcoming it as the saviour of the town centre to opposing it vehemently as destroying small shops and reducing traffic to a standstill. We wrote to say that the concept of a superstore arises from out of town locations where space is no problem and where shoppers can arrive by car for the week's shopping without causing traffic congestion. It is very desirable to bring trade back into town but a superstore is too large to fit into a town situation. The design is much improved on earlier schemes which we discussed with the developer but its bulk is unacceptable, the increase in traffic from customers and deliveries could cause serious problems and there is potential for damage to small traders. The application went to the May Planning Committee where the proposal was supported by the Chamber of Commerce and the officers recommended approval. Every available public space was filled and the Chairman was obliged to be quite forceful to control a vociferous element in the gallery. A detailed debate lasted for two and a half hours at the end of which the application was refused - against officers' advice - by a vote of 7:4. I am quite sure that this will not be the end of the story.

Epsom Downs Racecourse: The Planning Committee has approved the proposals for a new grandstand and for a hotel in the Old Paddock and, in view of certain important aspects, these applications have been referred to the Government Office for the South East and may be called in for decision by the Secretary of State. Since then a further application has been received for a 30m telecomunications tower at the back of the Old Paddock to replace all the facilities now on top of the grandstand. We have recorded our dislike of such a large tower but regret that it has to be accepted as a necessary evil on condition that it is located in the least objectionable place and designed to protect the view in this very prominent and nationally well known part of Epsom.

West Park Hospital, Horton Lane: Following the earlier approval of a Planning Brief, an outline planning application was submitted in June 2002 to redevelop this site with 360 houses, hotel/conference facility and associated community buildings. This hospital closed only in 1999 and it had not been included in the outline permission for the other four hospitals in 1997. One of our main concerns was to oppose yet another roundabout on Christchurch Road and much work has been done to design a circulation system with a single access from Horton Lane. This was approved at the May Committee, against the advice of the County Engineer. (This was one of 13 other items decided after the Superstore, and the meeting did not end until 12.15 am!)

Finachem House, Ashley Road: Permission was granted for conversion to flats, including the addition of a new second floor, on condition that the ground floor is retained in office use to comply with employment policy.

7-7A Ashley Road: I previously reported that we disliked the bulk of the new building proposed at the back of the former Chelsea Building Society. Some amendments were made to the scheme and planning permission has been granted for 14 flats including a new second storey extension.

12 Downside: This is one of the remaining substantial Victorian houses in Downside with a large garden backing on the end of Chartwell Place and the proposal is to build two detached houses at the end of the garden with access from a private passage connecting with Chartwell Place. We considered this to be overdevelopment for a conservation area and supported the many objections made by local people. A decision is awaited.

Heron Court, 53 Alexandra Road: Heron Court is a large Victorian house opposite the junction with College Road and comprises staff accommodation for Epsom College with a day nursery on the ground floor. It has a fine large garden backing onto Longdown Road, Links Road and Kilcorral Close. Application was made to demolish the house and build 13 flats (including seven staff flats for Epsom College) and 11 houses. We objected on the grounds of overdevelopment, damage to a very fine listed copper beech tree, and increased traffic at this difficult junction. It has been refused but there will no doubt be a further try.

Briavels Court, Downs Hill Road: This application was for an extra storey on each of these seven three storey blocks of flats on the corner of Ashley Road to provide 14 new flats. We objected strongly on grounds of height, which broke the three storey policy in the Local Plan, and detriment to the character of the area. It has been refused.

Land rear of 10-11 Beverley Close, Ewell: The land involved in this proposal is a deep heavily wooded former chalk pit behind houses in Beverley Close and adjoining Green Belt land at East Ewell close to the Cuddington Golf Club. The application is to build a three storey block of 24 apartments. We have objected that this would destroy a valuable woodland area, cause the loss of many protected trees and cause serious harm to residents' living conditions. We believe that the land should be added to the Green Belt.

Local Development Framework

Alan Baker

Your Committee has responded to a request to comment on the 'Preferred Options for the Core Strategy of the LDF'. This is the key document of the Development Plan and we have already had an opportunity to contribute to it in a previous consultation and I am pleased to report that one of our major suggestions for improvement on the first occasion was adopted by the Borough Council. The present document is of a much higher standard following revision and we have expressed our support for most of the preferred options put forward. The Core Strategy is the overarching document of the LDF and other more detailed papers will follow that will expand on each topic. We will comment on these when they are issued.

We supported the concept that the Borough can meet its obligations for new housing needs without encroaching on the Green Belt.

We strongly supported the following Preferred Options:

1. Seek to protect conservation areas and listed buildings and their setting.

2. Continue to exercise strict control over development and maintain Green Belt boundaries.

3. Provide and protect the required quantity and improve the quality of open spaces for residents, workers and visitors to the Borough and improve access to them.

4. Protect and enhance areas that are nationally, regionally or locally designated as sites of nature conservation interest.

Traffic congestion in the town centre was highlighted several times, but the only Preferred Option put forward was `to encourage non-motorised forms of travel'. We have suggested that an alternative Preferred Option should be included such as `seek to reduce traffic congestion in the town centre' with `encourage non-motorised forms of travel' as one way among others to achieve this.

EPSOM TOWN HERITAGE TRAIL
Epsom has many buildings with an interesting history and a valuable heritage. Your Committee is well advanced in producing a Town Heritage Trail that will be available to visitors and residents to lead them around the town and will highlight buildings of historic interest and heritage along the way. The text has been written by Tom Dethridge, a former Chairman of the Society, and the illustrations have been sketched and coloured by Denise Pattison a local artist. The Heritage Trail is presently being set up in draft at the Print Centre and, after final approval, will soon be available.

VISIT TO WALTON OAKS
Walton Oaks in Walton on the Hill is the UK headquarters for Pfizer, the world's largest pharmaceutical company. It is an impressive, imaginative, large modern building constructed largely of steel and glass set in attractive landscaped gardens. Some members have recently enjoyed a visit to Walton Oaks arranged primarily for road representatives, but the visit was opened to additional members at our AGM. Since the occasion was undoubtedly a success, I had hoped to arrange a follow-up visit for other members later in the year. However it is a popular venue, and I have been told by Pfizer that we will have to wait until the spring to try again. Your Committee will be exploring other possible places within easy distance for morning or afternoon visits. If members have suggestions we would welcome them.

Transport Issues

Norman Dempster

We continue to monitor access and parking issues of planning applications. However our main concern continues to be about serious traffic congestion in our town centre due in Iarge part to the presence of a principal road, the A24, passing through the town. The " Draft Strategy For Epsom Town Centre " (March 2003) sets out a vision that the town centre should be a vibrant and viable place acting as an attractive focal point for the town and surrounding area. We believe traffic volume and congestion contribute adversely to the enjoyment of both residents and visitors to the town centre . However, as noted above by Michael Boyd, the consultation papers for the 'Local Development Framework' make no reference to any positive action to relieve Epsom town centre of traffic on the A24. At a meeting with Councillor Petrie, Chairman of SCC Local Committee in Epsom & Ewell, we were invited to be more proactive. As a result we wrote setting out our reasons that a study to confirm the need for an alternative route for the A24 should be commissioned and that a requirement for such a study be included in the new LDF.

We understand there is an ongoing study of all major intersections in the town centre. From these studies new management plans will be prepared for each junction. It is recognised that some measures will increase traffic delays.

Talk by Mark Berry at the Annual General Meeting Myers Hall Epsom, 31.1.2006

Angela Clifford

Mr Mark Berry who joined the Borough as Head of Development last year and has recently had his job and title changed to Head of Planning spoke of his `First Impressions of Epsom'. Having worked in various planning roles in the South East for the past 22 years, he came to Epsom from Tunbridge Wells. His responsibilities are Planning Policy, Development Control, Trees, Enforcement, Conservation and Design. He emphasised that this talk was very much a personal view, not a Council one.

He had read of the Hospital Cluster Development in a professional journal so was interested to see it for himself. The 21 Conservation Areas have many unique features and the abundance of trees Mark found very impressive. He drew our attention to the wide variety of architecture in the Borough - from 17th century cottages through to the modern buildings being erected at present. All make a contribution to the diversity which it would be a shame to lose.

We saw slides of Glyn House and The Cedars together with the many spots which Mark had found particularly interesting. 57 Salisbury Road is now locally listed - it is one of the few thatched cottages in the Borough. 80% of planning applications are for two storey side extensions, 20% commercial and others. Mark feels Planning Guidelines for Conservation Areas may need revising which he hopes to do. His aim is to conserve the best and ensure the new is contemporary and built to high standards.

As far as traffic congestion goes, the Government and the public have different aspirations - the former wishes to reduce car use but the public seems less inclined. So far, political will and financing, both essential for progress with traffic reduction, appear lacking. The large number of destinations available by public transport is pretty impressive too - maybe we lose sight of these points occasionally! We were delighted to learn that Mark hopes for `a modest improvement' in the alley (or twitten) from the High Street to the Town Hall Car Park and also that he recognises that the pathway between the Ebbisham Car Park and the railway is particularly uninviting at night though used regularly by commuters in daytime.

Talk by Ian West on Early 20th centrury houses in Epsom Myers Hall Epsom, 14.3.2006

Angela Clifford

Joy Furness introduced Ian West remarking that most of the audience already knew him from his popular summer walks round Epsom for the Society. The fact that all tickets for the evening had been sold speaks for itself and we were not disappointed. Ian used slides of his collection of postcards to illustrate the talk. He effectively took us on a walk round the town starting with Hook Road and finishing in East Street showing buildings and street scenes. He pointed out the parts of the town which have changed little since the early 1900s and those which have changed dramatically: Hook Road, Pound Lane Shops and School, much as they are now; Horton Lane with its hospitals built around 1900 - some preserved as luxury flats but some of the buildings have been lost. Ian showed us an aerial picture of the innovative arc design of building of the first of the mental hospitals giving corridor access throughout and the wards a green outlook.

There were many interesting views showing, for example, the narrowness of the east end of the High Street before the 1930s and Epsom Downs Station as it used to be. A number of the postcards showed a very different way of life with streets empty of cars and in their place horses and bicycles. We also saw the effects of World War 1 when Horton Hospital treated the wounded and the RAC Club became a military training ground with the personnel accommodated in tin huts on 'The Ridge' above.

The two decades at the beginning of 20th Century were a boom time for postcards when people were beginning to travel, many by bicycle, and wanted to send postcards to family and friends showing where they had been. One example showed Snow's Cycle Shop in East Street where they may well have had punctures mended. Some people also had postcards printed of their own house and sent them as Christmas cards. These all add to our knowledge of how Epsom looked then.

Ian finished by telling us that photographs of our homes and streets will add to the knowledge of future generations; coincidentally, exactly the same point made by Tom Dethridge in the March Newsletter when he asked members to send him pictures of the town. Ian was thanked for a most interesting talk.

Future Events

Joy Furness

SUNDAY 25th JUNE 2006 at 2.30 IAN WEST' S ANNUAL WALK
This will be at Ewell Court House, full details were given in the last Newsletter. Everybody welcome; just come and join in.

FRIDAY 27th OCTOBER 2006 BUFFET SUPPER PARTY 7.45 to 10pm
The party will again be held in the main hall of St Joseph's Church, St Margaret's Drive off the Dorking Road, Epsom. We have invited the Mayor of Epsom and Ewell Councillor David Wood and the Mayoress, his sister Barbara, and our MP Chris Grayling and his wife Susan. Please note that the doors will not be open before 7.30 to allow time for the room to be set up beforehand by the Committee.
After supper Hedley Kaye who lives locally in Leatherhead will entertain us with his special mixture of song, stories and guitar playing. He is a talented performer and does a lot of voluntary work entertaining patients in hospitals.
There will be no need to queue for food this year. On arrival please collect a drink and a plate of canapes and find a place to sit and the food will be brought to the tables. Tickets are £15 each. Numbers are not limited so you are welcome to bring friends and guests. Please apply on the application form below with a cheque made payable to Epsom Protection Society and an SAE and send them to Joy Furness, 37 Woodcote Hurst, Epsom KT18 7DS.

OUTINGS
WEDNESDAY 2nd AUGUST 2006 LULLINGSTONE KENT This outing is so popular that all tickets were sold in the first four weeks and there is a long waiting list. Sincere apologies to those who were unable to book for this trip; better luck next time.

SATURDAY 2nd DECEMBER 2006 Outing to Rochester for the Dickens Christmas festival. This should be an interesting day out as there is plenty to do and see in Rochester especially on Dickens Day. Full details and application form will be in the next Newsletter. Keep the date free. JOY FURNESS

Epsom Protection Society Website: www.epsomprotectionsociety.co.uk

Editor: Paul Fifoot Zebrato, Lynwood Avenue Epsom KT18 7LR

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