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REMOVAL OF A309 FOOTBRIDGE AND INSTALLATION OF TOUCAN CROSSING

As part of the scheme for the redevelopment of the government offices site, Taylor Wimpey will remove the existing footbridge and replace it with a Toucan crossing.  We have been advised that they plan to carry out the removal overnight from Friday 30th July to Sunday 1st August.  The A309 will be closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. for three nights, and traffic will be diverted through Claygate westbound and Long Ditton eastbound.  The installation of the Toucan crossing is not, however, scheduled to take place until 31st August, and there will therefore be no pedestrian crossing available at Claygate Lane during this period.  Regrettably, these arrangements were decided by Taylor Wimpey and Surrey County Council without consultation with the Local Committee on which our councillors are represented.

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A309 GOVERNMENT OFFICES REDEVELOPMENT: PLANNING APPEALS

The planning inspectors have found against Taylor Wimpey in relation to two appeals by them against decisions of Elmbridge Borough Council.

The first concerned the erection of a conservatory at the show home (with the implication that further conservatories might be allowed, even though the relevant development rights were excluded from the planning permission for the new estate).  The inspector took into account the effect of the proposal on openness and visual amenity; whether living conditions for future occupants of the building would be satisfactory having regard to the provision of garden amenity space; and whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances necessary to justify the development. She concluded that the conservatory would result in a loss of openness of the Green Belt and lead to inadequate rear garden amenity space for the future occupants.

The second related to Taylor Wimpey’s attempt to increase the density of the estate with a further 11 low cost flats and increases in habitable roof space.

These are very satisfacory results for residents as both schemes would have resulted in a lack of open space completely incompatible with family homes in a Green Belt area.

Copies of newsletter 30 covering this and other contentious planning applications can be obtained from Don Beardshall of the 'Save Hinchley Wood' campaign.

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'BUY WITH CONFIDENCE' SCHEME

Trading Standards at Surrey County Council are keen to raise awareness of their 'Buy with Confidence' scheme. This allows residents to find traders they can trust, who have been thoroughly vetted and approved by Trading Standards, and help them avoid falling victim to rogue traders. 

It's free for residents to search the online directory (www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk) and its use will help eradicate rogue traders preying on residents.

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HOW DO YOU WANT ELMBRIDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL TO BE RUN?

Elmbridge Borough Council is interested in hearing residents’ views on its future governing arrangements. Legislation requires the Council to choose from one of two options: either a ‘Strong Leader’ or an Elected Mayor.

The Strong Leader model is a development of the Council’s current Leader and Cabinet arrangement. The Elected Mayor option is wholly different. Elected Mayors have been introduced in some cities but have been less popular elsewhere.

Cllr John O’Reilly, Leader of the Council, explained the Council’s consultation exercise:

 “We want to hear which of the two options people would prefer so we can take all views into account. It’s an opportunity for residents to consider what works well, or perhaps less well, at present. Both options could mean a Leader being appointed for up to 4 years from May 2011, but the key difference is that an Elected Mayor is not a Councillor. An Elected Mayor is voted into office in a separate election and cannot be removed from office by the Council, even when the political balance of the Council changes.

“At present we have a Mayor who is appointed annually. The Mayor acts as a Civic Leader and puts party politics to one side for the year. An Elected Mayor does not carry out a civic and ceremonial role but is a political leader.

“People can find out more information about the two options on our website and complete an online* poll.”

* The options provided on the Elmbridge website are the submission of views by e-mail or post.

 The results of the consultation will be reported to the Council’s Cabinet on 22 September and the Council will take a final decision on 6 October for implementation in May 2011.  

Please visit www.elmbridge.gov.uk/Council/leader.htm to find out how to take part in the survey.

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TASTER COURSE IN BOWLS

Ember Bowling Club operates an annual Beginners’ Course during the first half of May. This offers the opportunity to try the game without commitment and receive tuition from qualified coaches. A small charge is made to cover use of facilities and equipment but this is refunded for participants who go on to join the club. Contact Jerry Ingham on 0208 398 0885. Information on the Club can be seen at www.embersportsclub.org.uk.

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SURREY WASTE PARTNERSHIP

The Surrey Waste Partnership is made up of Surrey County Council and the 11 district and borough councils in the county.

Visit their website www.lovefoodsurrey.com for tips and advice on how to reduce food waste, including recipes for using up leftovers.

The Partnership is also offering home composting bins at fantastic prices, starting from £14.00 (RRP £39.00), to encourage more residents to compost at home. 

To buy a bin or to dig up more advice on how to turn your table scraps and garden waste into compost, visit www.surreycc.gov.uk/getcomposting or call 0844 571 4444.

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PLANNING APPLICATION FOR NURSERY BUILDING AT HINCHLEY WOOD SCHOOL

We have been informed that the applicant has withdrawn this application (19th March 2010).

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Newsletter No2 of 2010 is now out with news about the local election result, the A309 site, the railway station, changes at Surrey Police, home security, wheelie bins and the A309 footbridge, is now out.  If any residents have not received a copy though their letterbox by 18th June, please let the subscriptions secretary know.

Newsletter No1 of 2010 is still available to view, with news about Councillor Jack Mulder's retirement as councillor and nominations for his replacement, the nursery development at Hinchley Wood School, card fraud linked to the Shell filling station and the isuues with the A309 development. 

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HINCHLEY WOOD POLICE PANEL & COMMUNITY SAFETY

The panel meets regularly (normally in conjunction with an HWRA road representatives meeting) and attendance is open to all residents. It's your opportunity to meet the local police team and have your say about policing priorities in the local area. Discussion at the panel really does make a difference to local police activity, so it's well worth coming along if you can.

For the timing of meetings, please see the news & events pageor check the local police page on the Surrey Police website.

Some current crime concern issues from the local community safety team and elswhere are highlighted below:

Telephone scams

We have had reports of residents receiving unsolicited telephone calls which appear to be part of a scam or high-pressure sales pitch.  

In one case number of Surrey residents have received calls from a company claiming to be a home security firm and offering advice on new and existing security systems. The company asks a number of questions about the resident's existing security arrangements and offers a home visit from one of their 'experts'. Trading Standards strongly advise that members of the public do not use firms that cold call. Residents should be aware that when someone asks you when you are in or whether you have an alarm fitted, you are also telling them when you are out and what security measures you already have in place. Anyone who receives a call either on the phone or at the property should call Surrey Police immediately on 0845 125 2222 quoting reference P10119973 or Crime stoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.

In another case an elderly Hinchley Wood resident received persistent calls from a caller, who would not identify themselves or their organisation, offering a ‘free test of the water supply’ at the resident’s house.  It is not clear whether this was an attempt to gain entry for the purposes of theft or to subject the occupiers to a high-pressure sales pitch, but either way residents are advised to be on their guard and to report suspicious calls to the police (as above), Surrey Trading Standards (01372 371700) or Consumer Direct www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/watch_out/  08454 04 05 06.

Card fraud following transactions at Shell Hinchley Wood filling station

As a result of security measures taken by Shell, the card compromises are believed to have ceased, but it is still possible that people will experience fraudulent transactions if they used their cards at the Shell station during or before January 2009, so credit card statements should continue to be carefully checked and suspicious transactions reported to the card issuer and the police.

Anyone who has experienced any problems with illegal transactions on their credit or debit cards or who has information relating to the Shell filling station should contact Detective Constable Clive Muspratt at Staines CID on 0845 125 2222, quoting reference EL/09/2548.   Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Break-ins to sheds and outbuildings

These are starting to increase again with pedal cycles being the main item of choice. There are some really easy steps to take to reduce the opportunities:
             * Use a good quality lock / alarm your outbuildings
             * Property mark pedal cycles and garden equipment.
             * Register the items free on the  Immobilise web site and/or take a photograph of them.
             * Secure pedal cycles to larger items so they can not be picked up and removed
             * Store smaller items in a secure locker

Distraction burglary

Bogus callers continue their attempts to gain entry to premises by posing as officials, builders offering services, or people looking for a lost ball or pet etc. In a recent incident in Thames Ditton, the offender asked for a bottle of water for a broken down car, gained access to the property, asked the victim to borrow a pound and then stole the victim's wallet.  The people concerned can be very convincing and persuasive.

Please be alert for crimes of this nature, particularly if you have elderly or vulnerable relatives or neighbours, and report any suspicious callers to the police immediately on 999, if possible with a description of the person concerned.

And remember to follow these basic steps:

Keep your front and back doors locked at all times, even when at home.
Ensure that you have a door chain or bar fitted and keep the bar or chain on when you open your front door.
Always ask for identification from callers who claim to be officials from utility companies, the council or the police etc. and CHECK it by telephone.  If they are genuine, they won't object

Remember if you are unsure - never let anyone in to your home.

A sure sign of a bogus caller: there is no longer any such thing as the 'Water Board'.

For further information about doorstep safety, you can contact our local PCSO (Grapsas3421@surrey.pnn.police.uk) for an information card, or the Crime Reduction Advisor, PC Mark Howells at Esher Police Station, telephone 0845 125 2222, can come and give security advice.

Please be alert for markers used by burglars to identify target properties.  Examples are shown on the notice board page.  Also please try to ensure that tools in outbuildings are secured, as these have been used to force entry to properties.

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More volunteers are still needed to help with Hinchley Wood Care.  For more information please see clubs, societies and voluntary organisations.

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This is the website of Hinchley Wood Residents Association. In conjunction with the weblog at hinchleywood.blogspot.com, it is intended as an interactive resource for the local community, where you can find information about local services, activities and events, and have your say on issues of current concern.

The site is regularly updated with local news, information and features, and we welcome comments on the site and suggestions for improvements and new features. Please send us your feedback here.

Local traders, services, clubs and groups are listed free of charge on the website. If your organisation has not been listed please let us know the details and we will add it to the site. Local organisations can use the site free of charge to advertise forthcoming events, such as jumble sales, fetes etc.

Please contact us here to arrange for your organisation or event to be listed on the site.

Our Residents Association Councillors hold regular surgeries at which you can discuss problems directly with them. Please check the News & Events page for details.

Keep informed about local issues, including significant planning applications and forthcoming events, by registering for our free e-mail bulletin service.  See contact page for further details.

Site last updated 27th July 2010

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Did you know that the LWT series 'The Charmer' (1986), set in the 1930s and starring Nigel Havers, Rosemary Leach and Bernard Hepton, was partly filmed in Hinchley Wood? You can see some pictures of the filming here. It is also available on DVD from Amazon, but note that you will need a multi-region player.
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