The Epsom Protection Society Newsletter 91 - Spring 2002

home

The Chairman's Commentary

John Hampton

        Thank you to all those members who attended the Society's AGM and for your support. AGMs by their nature are not always the most inspiring of events, but on this occasion we had the opportunity of hearing and seeing some of the research made possible by the refurbishing of the Assembly Rooms. Most would agree that the exterior, as benefits such an important building, now looks more like the original - and what an improvement it is! However, the interior fails, perhaps understandably, to reflect the character of the original building.

One of the issues raised at the AGM was the need for this Society to ensure that we are broadly based, appealing to a range of residents. Your executive committee also shares this view; but without more people willing to give time, and act as recruiting agents, we are somewhat limited. Perhaps we should try the lure of the Queen's shilling of old! May I remind you that we still need a person to share Judith Christie's load, and may I take this opportunity to welcome our latest recruit, our new Honorary Secretary, Malcolm Boyd. And, on the subject of volunteers, the Society intends to have a stall at the Epsom Common Day celebration on the Common on Sunday 28th July, from about 11am through to 4pm or so. If you could give, say, an hour of your time to assist in manning the stall, please contact Geoffrey Stone .

One of the Society's objectives is to ensure that the visual attractiveness of Epsom is maintained by 'quality' design. Admittedly, we all see things differently, but did the bleakness of the design of the Ebbisham Centre have to go hand in hand with a new library? Similarly, do the proposals for five story development in the Upper High Street have to ignore the fact that it is sited at one of the main entrances to Epsom, and in this position on the margin of the town abuts not only on shops but also on low rise residential areas?

Concern is now being expressed for the survival of that mundane feature of our streetscape, the letter box. How often do we really see the individual elements that comprise our Epsom scene. Perhaps the more eagle eyed of you will know where this example of the Victorian wall box is to be found - no prizes- see last page. Mike Ford has photographed some of the historic examples known to him and if you would like to help with more photography, contact him .

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, 11TH APRIL 2002

Angela Clifford

       
The Chairman welcomed 59 members, the invited visitors Mr. John McInally and Mr. Jeremy Harte and our speaker, Mr. Ken Sabel. After thanking all committee members for their work, he singled out Alan Baker for particular appreciation from members for the time and effort he devotes to looking at planning applications and then attending the hearings.

: The following Officers and Committee for 2002/03were elected unanimously:

Officers and Committee 2001/2

CHAIRMAN	John Hampton, OBE,Lindsay Close (Conservation)	728704
VICE-CHAIRMAN	Alan Baker, FRICS, 2 Leighton Way (Planning)	722527
SECRETARY	Malcolm Boyd, 10 Woodcote Green Road	723325
TREASURER	Tony Smith, 18 Woodcote Close	812763
COMMITTEE	Judith Christie, 9 Ashdown Road (Events)	720727
	Norman Dempster, 34 Sandown Lodge [Promotions]	727432
	Tom Dethridge, 33 Pine Hill	722802
	Michael Ford, 24 Copse Edge Avenue (Trees)	720031
	Roy Hobson, 21 St. Martin's Avenue (Legal)	720363
	Ishbel Kenward, 28a Bramble Walk [Membership]	728570
	John Murray, 18 Dorking Road (The Downs)	720202
	Piers Nicholson, 9 Lynwood Avenue (IT)	725742
	Geoffrey Stone, 9 Milburn Walk [Promotions]	812752
HON. AUDITOR	Harry Wilkinson, OBE, 4 Avenue Road	723895

Mrs. Natalie McKinnon has volunteered to act as Archivist to the Society.

In his address to the Society, Mr. Ken Sabel of Pre-Construct Archaeology spoke of the findings recorded during the restoration/conversion of Waterloo House - now reverting to its original name, The Assembly Rooms - including Late Saxon pottery and a 1679 farthing. Mr. Sabel took us through 310 years of changes with the help of plans and photographs.

Planning

Alan Baker

Government Green Papers: The present planning system was established after the war with the Town and Country Planing Act 1947, and was at the time an innovative scheme to control development. Since then there has been much amendment and updating, but it has now become inflexible and in need of improvement. The Government has in mind a wide-ranging revision and has published a series of Green Papers outlining its proposals. The stated aim is to provide a simpler, faster and more accessible system. A small group of your committee has considered the proposals in two of the papers on Planning and Change of User and submitted comments to the Government. The major points of the Papers include:
(a) Local Plans and County Structure Plans would be replaced by Local Development Frameworks which are intended to be simpler and quicker and which could be put in place in months rather than years. We welcomed simplification, but thought some of the ideas were over optimistic and would cause initial confusion.
(b) Engaging the community would be a major feature and the system of Strategic Partnerships would play an important part; applicants for major developments would be expected to consult the community before submitting their applications. We already attend Strategic Partnership meetings at the Town Hall and strongly feel that we and other local groups should keep the right to comment on applications at the point of decision.
(c) Regional Spatial Strategies would be inserted between Local Development Frameworks and National guidance. The constitution of regional planning bodies is contentious and we think they should comprise elected representatives of key regional interests.
(d) A right of appeal against planning permission as well as against refusal ? There would be practical difficulties, but in some circumstances, it would be desirable.
(e) The Use Classes Order allows changes within a class without needing permission. The Consultation Paper suggests some changes in definitions of the classes. We agree maximum flexibility is desirable provided that the character, amenities and viability of an area are fully protected.
(f) We agreed that separate classes should be created for Public Houses and Bars; Restaurants and Cafes: and Take-Aways. Permission would, therefore, be needed to change between them. We also thought that a house in multiple occupation is disruptive to a residential area and should be in a separate class.

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Land r/o 47-71 Upper Court Road: There has been an appeal against a refusal of permission for six houses on this land. We have written confirming our objection on the grounds of overcrowding of the site and the adverse effect on adjoining residents.

West Park Hospital: West Park was not included in the approved hospital cluster development but a proposal is now under consideration for 500 dwellings and a hotel/conference centre. We have not made detailed comments, being aware that members of the Society have been involved in community consultations. We have, however, objected to a proposal to build another roundabout in Christchurch Road to give access to the site. Another roundabout is totally unacceptable.

25 Alexandra Road: The eastern side of Alexandra Road has many blocks of flats. No 25 is the one remaining Victorian House in this part of the road and under pressure from ourselves and others it has recently been added to the local list of buildings of architectural or historic merit. We have opposed two applications for its demolition and replacement by still more flats; planning permission for both has been refused, but one refusal has been appealed. We have written urging dismissal of the appeal.

50 Alexandra Road: No 50 is a large house on the western side of the road on the corner of Bridle Road. We have objected to its replacement by a three storied block of flats. The elevation of the proposed building is better than the flats on the other side of the road but by reason of its dimensions, style and size it is totally out of character for the area and would harm local amenities.

Glyn House, Ewell: Although out of our normal area, this is an important listed building and we feel we should pay attention to development proposals. The County Council has ceased using it and there is at present an application to develop the land fronting Ewell High Street with 14 houses and flats. We feel this is oppressive and would involve the loss of valuable trees. We are consulting our friends in the Nonsuch Antiquarian Society.

Mr. Trees reports

Mike Ford

Compost heaps and strimmers: Both can be inimical to trees: compost heaps because the decomposition process can starve the soil of oxygen and any concentrated liquid can be toxic to the root system, and strimmers because the blade can damage the bark. So please site compost heaps away from trees and, if you see any newly planted trees that need protection, inform me or contact Jeremy Young at the Town Hall.

Town Centre: It has now been agreed to plant new trees in the Town Centre, including the Market Place. An avenue of trees is planned in High Street East running from Waterloo Road to East Street.

The Hospital Cluster: The planning application for West Park and the proposal to build a further roundabout (see above) would involve the destruction of much green belt and many trees (at least 30 mature trees for the roundabout alone , including Oak, Lombardy Pine, London Plane, Cedar of Lebanon and Corsican Pine). The development would involve the loss of whole countryside approach to this side of Epsom. The other road layout (in part dual carriageway and more roundabouts) off the roundabout at Horton Lane/West Park Road would also open up the area and destroy 60 mature trees including Oaks, Pines, Ash, Plane and Chestnuts.

Ebbisham Centre: The four ornamental pears are doing well, but further improvements - more well planned trees and shrubs - are needed to make this a welcoming area and thriving community asset rather than a daytime desert!

Future Events

Judith Christie

Visit to London Zoo, Wednesday 19th June 2002: There are still some tickets left at £16.00. See the previous Newsletter

Ian West's Annual Walk, Sunday 14th July 2002: Meet in the carpark in front of St. Martin's Church, Church Street, Epsom at 2.30pm to visit some Edwardian houses .

Wine and Cheese: Our annual get together is arranged for Wednesday 16th October 2002 at 7.45pm at the new church hall at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Dorking Road, Epsom. Details in the next Newsletter.

Subscriptions

Ishbel Kenward

Thank you to all those who have already taken their subscriptions to their road representative and for the generous donations we have received. A reminder to those who have not paid: subscriptions are due by the end of June - £1 per individual, £1.50 per household.

The Victorian letter box is sited in the western wall under the arch in the Meadway, Epsom.

---

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

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

The Epsom Protection Society supports www.epsom.townpage.co.uk, our local community website



These pages are maintained by Internetworks Ltd of Epsom as a public service to our community.
Internetworks offers a wide range of Internet services - please visit our website