The Epsom Protection Society Newsletter 109 - Autumn 2006

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The Chairman's Commentary

Geoffrey Stone

       
As many of you will know the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is no longer responsible for planning and a new post has been created of Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government held by Ruth Kelly. It brings together for the first time "responsibilities for local government, social exclusion and neighbourhood renewal with new responsibilities for communities, race, faith and equalities." I have quoted verbatim from the letter of appointment to highlight what are seen to be the political priorities. The exchange of correspondence available on the Internet is revealing. Planning seems a long way down the list of priorities although the need to build more homes, many affordable, is clearly in the Secretary of State's mind.

Primarily using 'brownfield' land to enable new housing to be provided is accepted policy; but how are we to define the description? I am sure that originally it was applied to old industrial sites or to derelict housing estates but we seem to have moved a long way down the road to the point where a perfectly reasonable existing property can be removed to create a brownfield site. In Epsom commercial pressure spurs developers to do just that and there are reports of owners being approached to sell their houses to enable a development to be planned. The danger is a slow erosion of a sense of open green space in neighbourhoods because such developments inevitably result in increased density - indeed it is seen as a virtue. The high demand for housing in the South East will impact on existing space in Epsom which is constrained by Green Belt on three sides. In the short and medium term the town is fortunate because the pressure is relieved by apartments planned and already being built in the centre, the continuing development of the Hospital Sites with West Park to come, together with other approved sites.

It can be said that there is nothing new about this situation; the Society was formed nearly fifty years ago to halt the destruction by developers of architecturally valuable buildings. What are now of concern are the scale of the pressure and the consequential loss of living and breathing space. We shall continue to look carefully at applications for housing schemes particularly in relation to over development.

Local Heritage Open Days are on 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th September. This year unfortunately no properties are available in Epsom and Ewell but Mole Valley has an extensive list - information and booking available from the Visitor Centre on 01306 879327. National Heritage Open Day properties organised by The Civic Trust and English Heritage are open during the same weekend - details on the website www.civictrust.org.uk.

Planning

Alan Baker

Here are my comments on some of the more important current applications, starting with updates on earlier cases and going on to new ones, including the latest information we have about the Upper High Street.

12 Downside: This application for two new houses in the rear garden with access from Chartwell Place was considered by the June Planning Committee and was unanimously refused against a recommendation to permit.

Land rear of 10-11 Beverley Close, Ewell: This proposal for a three storey building with 24 apartments in a former chalk pit has been refused. The many reasons included visual detriment to the green belt; the existing wooded open land makes an important contribution to the visual amenities and character of the area in general; the loss of trees, loss of a valuable wildlife habitat, and harm to a number of badger sets; traffic would give rise to material detriment to neighbouring properties; and the building would be out of character with the existing development.

The Paddock, Langley Vale Road: Following approval of the proposals for rebuilding the Grandstand, it is necessary to find another location for the telecommunication equipment now situated on the roof. Following research into various locations an application was made for a 30m lattice tower on The Paddock close to the junction with Chalk Lane. It would hold 28 antennae and 20 microwave dishes, with cabins and other equipment at ground level. This would serve six operators, including the police, and would be an important hub serving a large area. We reluctantly agreed that such an array was a necessary evil but asked that its location be confirmed as the least objectionable available and that sufficient conditions are imposed to protect the view and environment on this very prominent and nationally known part of Epsom. The June Planning Committee debated it at length and agreed to a deferment so that a better design could be explored.

8-12 Dorking Road & 6 Elm Grove: This is a major proposal to build 35 sheltered apartments in a prominent position opposite Epsom General Hospital and a further six fronting Elm Grove, a quiet cul-de-sac at the rear of the site. The use seems unobjectionable in principle in Dorking Road although we found it difficult to accept the suggestion that it is within easy walking distance of the town centre. Car access is a problem and to solve this it is proposed to have access and further units in Elm Grove. We feel this is inappropriate and saw neighbouring residents' signs "Save our road and gardens - no flats in Elm Grove". Elm Grove and White Horse Drive are already heavily parked especially by people from Rosebery School and from the Hospital. We also thought 14 parking spaces totally inadequate. Overall we came to the conclusion that we could not support the grant of planning permission for the scheme as presented.

21 High Street, Epsom: This is the middle one of three three-storey Victorian buildings near the passage leading to the Town Hall car park. They are of matching design with a parapet at roof level. The proposal is to add an additional roof storey and we objected as this would disrupt the appearance of the block. Permission has, however, been granted.

Carpetright, 102 High Street, Epsom: The new occupiers of this unit opposite the Assembly Rooms installed a garish fascia and other signs without planning permission. They have now made an application, possibly at the instigation of the Enforcement Officer, and we have written to object on the grounds that the style and colours are totally unacceptable within the Town Centre Conservation Area.

Upper High Street and Depot Road: Following the refusal of planning permission for a superstore in Upper High Street, the Environment Committee have agreed to authorise the production of a draft Development Brief for the Upper High Street and Depot Road area for public consultation, and to obtain specialist advice as necessary to support this work. We have established that the Society will be involved in the consultation. The area involved will include the site proposed for the superstore, the whole of Depot Road car park and the buildings on the south side of Depot Road all the way out to Church Street. This will be an important Brief. So far we have no information about any appeal or revised application for the superstore.

Local Development Framework

Alan Baker

The Core Strategy has now been submitted to the Secretary of State for examination. Although there is much merit within the document, we have made one small suggestion for improvement relating to congestion in Epsom town centre. Although Surrey County Council has responsibility for reducing traffic congestion, we suggested that the Borough Council works with the County Council to reduce congestion in addition to undertaking the reduction of the impact of congestion.

A further document entitled 'Site Allocations Options Paper' has been circulated for comment. This document is seeking suggestions for new or additional sites for housing, employment, town and local centres, natural environment and open spaces, the built environment and finally travel. Recently several members of the Committee welcomed the opportunity to meet Nigel Eveleigh the new Head of Policy in the Borough Council and the person responsible for producing the Local Development Plan. Nigel is responsible to Mark Berry who presented our last talk in the Myers Studio. Nigel encouraged us to make representations on the Core Strategy.

Epsom Town Heritage Trail

Alan Baker

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.

Lullingstone Outing - 2nd August 2006

Ishbel Kenward

Our first stop was for coffee at Lullingstone Country Park cafe which had interesting exhibits and a well stocked shop - perhaps a return trip with the family but that day we had Roman mosaics waiting for us. The Roman villa, lived in for 400 years nearly 2000 years ago, was fascinating. English Heritage's excellent audio tour gave us so much information about what has been discovered among the ruins. The mosaics are the centrepiece but we were also able to see the wall footings, the bathing system and even the animal footprints that had been left when the roof tiles were being made all those years ago, not to mention human and goose skeletons.

Next stop was lunch at The Plough in Eynesford where the staff were all prepared for us and served excellent food, including plum duff - not for those with small appetites! Then on to the highlight of the day Lullingstone Castle which, as the owner Guy Hart Dyke told us straightaway, is not a castle though it used to have a moat. He was very informative on our tour of St. Botolph's Church, built in 1361, and the 'open to the public' rooms in the house telling us some of the history of his family who have lived in the house since it was built in 1497. The Tudor Gatehouse remains as it was built but the house has had many alterations and additions, some of which were done to please Queen Anne who often visited in the early Eighteenth Century.

Those of us who had watched the TV series on Lullingstone Castle earlier in the year were looking forward to meeting Guy's son, Tom, and we were not disappointed. His enthusiasm for his World garden and life in general were infectious. Not only did he show and explain the garden but also enthralled us with the details of his capture by Columbians and being kept hostage for nine months. Guy, his wife Sarah and Tom all contributed to make it an exceptional visit.

Before heading back, driven by Alan who had negotiated the narrow lanes and roads in Eynesford with ease, we returned to the Plough for our cream tea. The whole day had been most enjoyable and well organised by Joy Furness - she need have no concerns about continuing the reputation for popular EPS outings.

Ian West's Annual Walk - 25th June 2006

Joy Furness

On Sunday 25th June a large group of us met Ian outside Ewell Court House. The tour started on the imposing south side originally the front of the house. The oldest part was in the centre which could be detected in the roof line (and in the attics which Ian had visited). We were not able to go inside because of building work. With the aid of drawings Ian explained how the house had been extended and built round the oldest part, the final stage being the impressive triple bays with views of the lake and the removal of the front entrance to the east side. The building is owned by the Council and plans to convert it into flats were thwarted when it became a listed building because of the fine internal Victorian/Edwardian doors and handles.

All the land round the house was originally part of the estate and income was derived from the gunpowder mills situated on the Hogsmill River. John Bridges bought the house (then named Avenue House) on his marriage in 1879 and redesigned the gardens as well as the house. A large part of the garden remains and is now a very pleasant public park. As we toured the garden Ian pointed out a number of the original features including the grotto set into the kitchen garden wall, the site of an ornamental pond and fountain, and the pack-horse bridge. We finished the tour by walking round to the back of the house to see the roof from another angle and the domestic quarters. Next to the car park was an unexpected surprise a very attractive nursery where several of us bought plants. There are plans to open a tea room next door. A big thank you to Ian for another of his interesting and informative walks. Anyone who does not know Ewell Court would be well advised to pay a visit to the park and see the house.

Membership

Ishbel Kenward

Our current membership is over 1560 which, for a Society like ours, is very good. There are 57 members who do their part in delivering Newsletters and collecting subscriptions. As you would expect, a few are unable to do every delivery due to holidays, operations etc. Therefore I am hoping that some of you might be prepared to do an occasional delivery - a helpful (to me !) way of perhaps seeing a bit of Epsom you don't know so well. If you could do this please contact me on 01372 728570.

And to close my bit for this Newsletter, I'd like to extend the Society's congratulations to Mrs Win Roper, one of our members, who is 100 in September.

Future Events

Joy Furness

FRIDAY 27th OCTOBER 2006 BUFFET SUPPER PARTY 7.45 to 10pm
Details of this party were given in the Summer Newsletter No 108, together with an application form. Tickets £15 each are still available; everyone welcome; do come and join the party.

WEDNESDAY 8th NOVEMBER 2006 at 8pm - TALK IN THE MYERS STUDIO
Title: CREATION OF THE VIRTUAL REALITY MODEL OF THE HISTORIC NONSUCH PALACE.
Over a number of years, staff from W S Atkins, the International Consultants with their H.Q. in Epsom, have created a virtual reality model of the historic Nonsuch Palace demolished in 1682. All the team had to go on was a ground plan from a 1959 archaeological dig, some contempory descriptions and a few pictures.

Members of the team will take you on a tour of the palace on screen, with the interactive model and explain the background to their research and the development of the model.

Tickets are £3.00 each. Please apply on the application form with a cheque made payable to Epsom Protection Society and an SAE and send it to Joy Furness at the address on the form.

SATURDAY 2nd DECEMBER 2006 - OUTING TO DICKENS FESTIVAL IN ROCHESTER
There will be so much to do and see in Rochester catering for different interests that I have not organised anything during the day so that people can please themselves. We will stop in Westerham on the way home to have a fish and chip supper to round off our day out.

Where Watling Street, the Roman Road from London to Dover, crossed the river Medway the Romans built a fort to guard the bridge which became known as Rochester (Durobrivae). This continued as the main road until recently with many old buildings such as The Poor Travellers House remaining. Most of the High Street is now pedestrianised with the Medway bridge at the west end, the castle ruins and the cathedral on the south side. The cathedral, the second oldest in England, was founded in 604 and the present building dates from 1080 and has a fine crypt. The castle impressively situated on a mound is a good example of Norman architecture. The Guildhall, now a museum, built in 1687 is one of the finest Seventeenth Century civic buildings in Kent.

Dickens spent his boyhood in nearby Chatham and based many of his books on Rochester which he knew well. From 1859 until his death in 1870 he lived at Gads Hill Place four miles from Rochester which he had admired as a boy. The Swiss Chalet where he did much of his writing can now be seen in the garden of Eastgate House.

On arrival in Rochester the coach will drop us off at the Information Centre where coffee and light refreshments are available just inside (plus the toilets). A walk through the building leads towards the High Street and the Information Desk where full details of the activities taking place that day are available and a map of the town showing the historic houses, museums etc.

A pantomime lasting 30 minutes is performed several times during the day; a conducted tour starts at 2.30pm; both can be booked on arrival at the desk. At 5.15 pm there will be a candle lit procession along the High Street to the cathedral followed by a Carol Service in the cathedral. The coach will leave at 6pm but will wait for those attending the service.

In the High Street there will be stalls selling mince pies and mulled wine and other items and people dressed in Dickensian costume will be walking round, all creating a festive atmosphere. There are plenty of places to eat and drink in the High Street to suit different appetites and pockets.

The cost is £20 each - this includes coach and supper and tips.

The coach will pick up outside the Methodist Church at 9.45am and at the car park by the tea hut on Epsom Downs near Tattenham Corner at lOam. Parking at the latter is free all day. The coach should be back in Epsom about 9pm.

Please complete and return the application form and your cheque as soon as possible together with a stamped addressed envelope to the address on the form. It has been pointed out that Newsletters are not all delivered at the same time so, to avoid any unfairness, places will not be allocated for four weeks to give everyone time to apply. If the outing is oversubscribed a ballot will take place. This seems the fairest way; I hope everyone agrees. Cheques will not be banked until nearer the date. Phone me if you have any queries.

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

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

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