There is some good news on the planning front with two controversial applications being refused by the planning committee on June 21st. The first of these was the proposed development by Wilsons of a car storage facility on land at Kiln Lane behind Dagenham Motors. This was recommended for refusal by the officer, and turned down by committee largely because of the impact of the proposed access road. This area of land was designated as a buffer zone in the 1989 local plan but seems to have 'lost' this in the 2000 one. I hope it is possible to get it redesignated during the forthcoming plan review.
Around 30 letters opposing the development were written by residents, along with representations from Ewell Village Residents Association. I am sure this grassroots opinion helped ensure this did not get the green light. Well done to everybody!
The second success involved the plan to put six homes on the site on Epsom Road, near Shaw Close, known as Chasanhill. Originally it was proposed to refuse this 'just' on the grounds that it would have removed a valuable tree and other planting. However some sterling work by Councillor Michael Arthur added some additional points for refusal relating to traffic, parking, change of character and density. I am sure the applicant will appeal, but hopefully we have some good defences in place against this development, which would alter the character of this part of the Borough.
Some other points of note for residents:
• Bourne Hall asbestos removal. This will take about 6-8 weeks and the cafe will be moved downstairs and the museum will be closed during this period. Consultation with the public about the future site of cafe will take place.
• Environmental improvements in Ewell Village. Councillors have agreed to fund new fencing in Bourne Hall to improve appearance and security - subject to possible planning permission.
• The investigation into contaminated land in Dirdene Gardens, Dirdene Grove and Beaconsfield Place has now concluded. Of 140 properties tested, only 1 has minor further tests to be carried out. Approx. 22 other potentially contaminated sites in Ewell Ward remain to be tested over the coming months and years! This work, the result of EU legislation, will run and run, causing great anxiety to those affected.
• The next Police ‘neighbourhood panel will take place on July 3rd at 8pm in Bourne Hall. Come along and meet your local PC, Steve Mould, and CSO Caroline Tims. It is an informal meeting and you are welcome to air any views you may have.
• Gib Rec update. I have asked for the benches to be refurbished, foliage pruning and landscaping of ‘mound’ in corner. I have met with the officer Steve Davis to discuss these things and also the possibility of moving the lights along the poor quality outer footpath to the more central one that everybody uses. He will now consult with Surrey County Council on this matter.
He has also promised to undertake some drain cleaning to try and resolve the flooding problems that occur in the park and obstruct the footpaths.
Saturday, 23 June 2007
Tuesday, 5 June 2007
Action plan
I got together with the two other ward councillors, Pam Bradley and Michael Arthur recently, and we worked out some of the key things that we would try and focus on for the next few months. In no particular order:
1) Moving of the bus stop in High Street: The work has been done satisfactorily, but the bus stop flag still has to be moved. Councillors will monitor the situation, and press SCC if this has not been done within four weeks.
A refurbished Heritage bus shelter has been acquired for this site. The indications are that it will be installed by August.
2) 'Threshers' - The 215 order was not appealed by the owner and this means that he has until June 19th to carry out the works. Some signs that repairs to the outside of the building have started and this is perhaps encouraging. We will press council officers to see this through.
Other buildings including the property next door to Threshers and the former Ganache (90 High Street) are still of concern, and may require further 215 notices if no progress is achieved.
We have asked for a meeting with Mark Berry and other officers in late June to review progress and determine future strategy.
It is a positive sign that work has started on the old Post Office, which has been an eyesore. We are are of the view that investment in this building should be encouraged and will discuss with officers how to facilitate development.
3) Roundabout at Cheam Road/Star junction - We agreed that some revisions to this junction need to be made to make it safe. This will be taken up with SCC highways.
4) Gibraltar Recreation ground - Awaiting an update from Ray Woolston as to action on the flooding problems. We will chase this up if nothing heard by late June.
There are some other areas in the park that need attention. Some of the benches need repainting and are overgrown with foliage; and material excavated when children’s playground created was dumped in corner and is now overgrown. Could do with landscaping. The appropriate offices will be contacted to see what can be done about this.
Councillors would also like to investigate movement of lights from current bumpy, narrow path leading to Ewell West Station, which is prone to flooding, to the wider, more even and central pathway created when the playground was built. Officers will be contacted to see what can be done.
5) The Dell is a pleasant an area behind Portway Crescent. Michael has been in touch with the National Trust about cleaning up and repairing this. There is however a fence which is the responsibility of EEBC that needs replacing/repairing. MA will contact officers to enquire about getting the fencing upgraded.
6) Graffiti- Pamela pleased with effectiveness of pyracantha planting along certain vulnerable walls and fences. She is pressing for further areas in the ward, including near the United Reform Church, where there has been vandalism, to be so planted. Not getting a reply from officers as yet though.
7) Recreation provision - We are pleased that playground provision for under 12s has been improved, especially Gibraltar Rec. However, consideration should be given to recreation provision for 12-15 year olds. Adventure type playgrounds could be investigated, and this will be raised through Leisure Committee.
8) A sum of around £15,000 remains to be allocated for Ewell Village environmental improvements.. There are suggestions that part of this could go to improvements to fencing at Bourne Hall. Also possibly some of the desired improvements at Gibraltar Rec might be funded this way. Will seek early meeting with officers to discuss.
9) Great concern expressed by residents about proposed Wilsons development at Kiln Lane. Michael and myself have to declare an interest, but Pamela Bradley and Neil Dallen of Town Ward will speak in committee. I may also be able to speak if new rules are implemented in time. Many residents have written to oppose, and we are optimistic that this can be nipped in the bud.
Plans for a bookkeepers in the former carpet shop in the High Street were rejected by planning committee in May, in what councillors considered a victory for common sense. Planned development in Austyn’s Place also rejected.
12) Traffic and parking - Congestion in the village still extremely bad for most parts of the day, and it appears that phasing of lights at Spring Street junction is not correct. In theory the phasing should be adjusted by central monitoring system, but does not seem to be happening. CW raised the matter at Local Committee meeting, and Martyn Williams of SCC after initially saying ‘there isn’t much a problem’ did promise to look at this again.
There are still a number of bad parking hot spots in the ward. We will press for greater levels of enforcement. Officers will be asked key question - how many hours of traffic warden time is Ewell ward being allocated?
1) Moving of the bus stop in High Street: The work has been done satisfactorily, but the bus stop flag still has to be moved. Councillors will monitor the situation, and press SCC if this has not been done within four weeks.
A refurbished Heritage bus shelter has been acquired for this site. The indications are that it will be installed by August.
2) 'Threshers' - The 215 order was not appealed by the owner and this means that he has until June 19th to carry out the works. Some signs that repairs to the outside of the building have started and this is perhaps encouraging. We will press council officers to see this through.
Other buildings including the property next door to Threshers and the former Ganache (90 High Street) are still of concern, and may require further 215 notices if no progress is achieved.
We have asked for a meeting with Mark Berry and other officers in late June to review progress and determine future strategy.
It is a positive sign that work has started on the old Post Office, which has been an eyesore. We are are of the view that investment in this building should be encouraged and will discuss with officers how to facilitate development.
3) Roundabout at Cheam Road/Star junction - We agreed that some revisions to this junction need to be made to make it safe. This will be taken up with SCC highways.
4) Gibraltar Recreation ground - Awaiting an update from Ray Woolston as to action on the flooding problems. We will chase this up if nothing heard by late June.
There are some other areas in the park that need attention. Some of the benches need repainting and are overgrown with foliage; and material excavated when children’s playground created was dumped in corner and is now overgrown. Could do with landscaping. The appropriate offices will be contacted to see what can be done about this.
Councillors would also like to investigate movement of lights from current bumpy, narrow path leading to Ewell West Station, which is prone to flooding, to the wider, more even and central pathway created when the playground was built. Officers will be contacted to see what can be done.
5) The Dell is a pleasant an area behind Portway Crescent. Michael has been in touch with the National Trust about cleaning up and repairing this. There is however a fence which is the responsibility of EEBC that needs replacing/repairing. MA will contact officers to enquire about getting the fencing upgraded.
6) Graffiti- Pamela pleased with effectiveness of pyracantha planting along certain vulnerable walls and fences. She is pressing for further areas in the ward, including near the United Reform Church, where there has been vandalism, to be so planted. Not getting a reply from officers as yet though.
7) Recreation provision - We are pleased that playground provision for under 12s has been improved, especially Gibraltar Rec. However, consideration should be given to recreation provision for 12-15 year olds. Adventure type playgrounds could be investigated, and this will be raised through Leisure Committee.
8) A sum of around £15,000 remains to be allocated for Ewell Village environmental improvements.. There are suggestions that part of this could go to improvements to fencing at Bourne Hall. Also possibly some of the desired improvements at Gibraltar Rec might be funded this way. Will seek early meeting with officers to discuss.
9) Great concern expressed by residents about proposed Wilsons development at Kiln Lane. Michael and myself have to declare an interest, but Pamela Bradley and Neil Dallen of Town Ward will speak in committee. I may also be able to speak if new rules are implemented in time. Many residents have written to oppose, and we are optimistic that this can be nipped in the bud.
Plans for a bookkeepers in the former carpet shop in the High Street were rejected by planning committee in May, in what councillors considered a victory for common sense. Planned development in Austyn’s Place also rejected.
12) Traffic and parking - Congestion in the village still extremely bad for most parts of the day, and it appears that phasing of lights at Spring Street junction is not correct. In theory the phasing should be adjusted by central monitoring system, but does not seem to be happening. CW raised the matter at Local Committee meeting, and Martyn Williams of SCC after initially saying ‘there isn’t much a problem’ did promise to look at this again.
There are still a number of bad parking hot spots in the ward. We will press for greater levels of enforcement. Officers will be asked key question - how many hours of traffic warden time is Ewell ward being allocated?
Monday, 14 May 2007
Introduction
Hi, I am Clive Woodbridge, and I have recently been elected as Borough Councillor for Ewell ward in Epsom & Ewell, representing the Residents Association.
First of all, many thanks to all residents who voted for me on May 3rd. I will do my best to represent your wishes and keep Ewell the pleasant place that it is to live and work in.
I will be using this 'blog' to tell people what I have been doing, and to communicate developments in Ewell, as well as the Borough generally, seeking comment where appropriate.
The first significant development to affect the ward since my election has been confirmation that Wilsons is seeking permission to develop an area of land behind Dagenham Motors as a site for a van and car storage area. This will involve building an access road to the site from Weston Road, at the back of Sainsburys.
Plans are now available at Bourne Hall and the Town Hall, and I would urge residents to look at these plans, read the planning application and make their views known in writing to the planning officer.
I will be liaising with another Ewell ward Councillor, Pamela Bradley, and Town ward Councillor, Neil Dallen, to ensure that residents views on this proposal are put fully to officers and to the planning committee.
As this application proceeds, I will keep residents informed. Please contact me if you have any questions about this. My email is: cwoodbridge@epsom-ewell.gov.uk
First of all, many thanks to all residents who voted for me on May 3rd. I will do my best to represent your wishes and keep Ewell the pleasant place that it is to live and work in.
I will be using this 'blog' to tell people what I have been doing, and to communicate developments in Ewell, as well as the Borough generally, seeking comment where appropriate.
The first significant development to affect the ward since my election has been confirmation that Wilsons is seeking permission to develop an area of land behind Dagenham Motors as a site for a van and car storage area. This will involve building an access road to the site from Weston Road, at the back of Sainsburys.
Plans are now available at Bourne Hall and the Town Hall, and I would urge residents to look at these plans, read the planning application and make their views known in writing to the planning officer.
I will be liaising with another Ewell ward Councillor, Pamela Bradley, and Town ward Councillor, Neil Dallen, to ensure that residents views on this proposal are put fully to officers and to the planning committee.
As this application proceeds, I will keep residents informed. Please contact me if you have any questions about this. My email is: cwoodbridge@epsom-ewell.gov.uk
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)