DEBATE AND COMMENT ON LOCAL ISSUES
SURREY FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
For free smoke alarms and home fire risk checks, call Surrey Fire and Rescue Service on 0800 085 0767, or visit www.surrey-fire.gov.uk/besmartbesafe.
ELMBRIDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL
ELMBRIDGE RESIDENTS GROUP
Hinchley Wood Residents Association is part of the Elmbridge Residents Group. The Group's website has information about the Group's purpose and aims, and links to the websites of the other residents associations which participate in the Group.
PHOTO GALLERY
See a selection of photographs of local scenes and events at www.flickr.com
HINCHLEY WOOD FROM OUTER SPACE
A satellite view of Hinchley Wood. Zoom in to see a close up of your house. Detailed enough to see the car on your drive!
Google maps image
CHECK A TRADE
A useful website for finding tradesmen whose work has been vetted and where feedback from previous customers can be seen
Check-a-Trade
FAMILY LINE SURREY
This registered and established charity provides a freephone helpline to families in Surrey who might be experiencing problems and need to talk them through with someone in confidence and without judgement. The freephone helpline number is 0808 800 5678. For more information please take a look at their website www.familyline.org.uk.
|
| News & Events |
News
HWRA Meetings
Village Notice Board
Current Planning Applications
News
PROPOSED REDUCTION IN STATION TICKET OFFICE HOURS. South West Trains are proposing to reduce the ticket office hours at many of their stations, including Hinchley Wood. Under these proposals our ticket office would close at 10.10 a.m. on weekdays, and would not open at all at weekends. Many station users are concerned about the effect of this, as are users of other affected stations. For further information, please see home page.
*************************************************************************
It is with great sadness that we report the death of Mr William (Bill) Gibson. Bill was the Ward Councillor for Hinchley Wood from 1964-86; the first Independent Mayor of Elmbridge 1985-1986; and President of the Hinchley Wood Residents Association.
*************************************************************************
Thefts from parked vehicles
Surrey Police are warning motorists not to leave their cars insecure and to remove valuables when parked on driveways, on the road, and in car parks to avoid falling prey to opportunistic thieves. Please take note of their advice which can be accessed here, and help to stop this kind of crime spreading in Hinchley Wood.
*************************************************************************
Surrey Police are currently recruiting Special Constables. If you think you might be interested , please see Surrey Police website for further information, or call Freephone 0800 3287597.
*************************************************************************
Burglaries
There continue to be a small number of burglaries in Hinchley Wood. Although there has been an arrest in relation to one offence in Claygate lane, residents are urged to remain vigilant, and to report any suspicious activity to our local police team. Householders can also take simple precautions to reduce the risk of burglary: leave a light on if you are out all evening or use timer switches, pull the curtains, remove free papers, junk mail etc from your letterbox, keep house and car keys away from the immediate vicinity of your front door, don't leave keys in the keyholes, utilise neighbourhood watch schemes, lock and secure all windows and doors. For further advice see Surrey Police website. The recent offences have taken place in the day or early evening, so please make sure your property is secure at all times of day.
Parking restrictions
The enforcement of parking restrictions in Station Approach, and the restrictions in Manor Road consequent on the installation of the pedestrian crossing, appear to have had the effect of displacing parking into Manor Drive.
We understand that, following a consultation in the summer of 2007, Surrey County Council are planning to introduce yellow line restrictions on the full length of Manor Drive and Meadow Close. These will apply from 0930 to 1100 Monday to Friday. The plans are likely to be advertised in the local press and at council offices in the next couple of months.
Pedestrian Crossing
Some residents have expressed concerns about the position of the pedestrian crossing and that of the bus stop in the village centre. Reconciling the various needs of pedestrians, motorists, traders and bus users in this constricted area close to the busy A309 is not easy. Veterans of the RAM campaign will recall that these issues worked in our favour on that occasion.
There has been at least one fairly serious accident on the crossing and reports of a number of near misses, in which speeding and inconsiderate driving have been factors. The parking restrictions in Manor Road and the first part of Manor Drive are an integral part of the safety measures for the pedestrian crossing.
Station
Statistics requested by HWRA indicate a high level of police activity at the station since 1st December 2006, suggesting that commuters returning to a quiet station are likey to have arrived after the dispersal of any groups assembled there.
Can you help us to smarten up the station and tackle graffiti? A quick response squad is being formed to overpaint graffiti on the underpass between Heathside and the station. Experience suggests that obliterating the tags quickly discourages them. Help is also sought for brightening up the area around the station. HWRA help to maintain the plants in the border alongside the railway track in Station Approach. Anyone willing to help with these tasks please contact Councillor Janet Turner.
Refuse collection
Since the beginning of 2008, the blue bin collection now includes glass recycling, and there is no longer a separate glass collection (green box). For details of the (fortnightly) collection schedule and what can go in the blue bin, see the Elmbridge Borough Council website.
Previous proposals to adopt alternate weekly collections for general waste are not currently being pursued. For more information on this topic, see BBC News website and Campaign for Weekly Waste Collection website.
**********************************************************************
Beware bogus clothing collection scams. Residents have received leaflets claiming to be clothing collections for third world countries. Only in the small print does it indicate that these are in fact from commercial companies, not charities. Read more about how to avoid these scams and ensure that your unwanted clothing goes to reputable organisations on the BBC News website.
**********************************************************************
Other matters
Crime is an ongoing concern and residents are strongly urged to report each and every incident they witness or are party to. The police concentrate resources on known hot spots and it is only by reporting crime that we can ensure that they are in the right place at the right time. Put simply: no crime report number = no crime statistic = no police presence.
Overhanging shrubs are danger to pedestrians, especially after dark. So please cut back vegetation to within your boundaries, as the law requires.
Dog fouling: dogs are fun and good companions, but not when they are allowed to foul public places. This is unsightly, easily picked up on wheelchairs etc., can be a health risk especially to young children, and is unlawful. There have been complaints that this is a serious problem in the area of Chesterfield and Cumberland Drives, Hinchley Way and Manor Road North. All dog owners are asked to act responsibly, and if their dog does foul a public place to pick up the mess and dispose of it correctly.
*************************************************************
HWRA meetings
All meetings take place in St. Christopher's Church Hall and start at 8 p.m., unless otherwise advised. All residents of Hinchley Wood are welcome at the Annual General Meeting and Autumn General Meeting.
2008 meetings:
Thursday 16th October (Autumn General Meeting)
The guest speaker will be Ian Maguire, Development Control Manager at Elmbridge Borough Council. He will talk about the significant number of recent changes in the Planning system, with the main emphasis on the new rules for 'permitted development' for householders that are coming into effect in October. His talk will be mainly about the new national rules for House Extensions that may be carried out without permission.
Thursday 11th December (Road representatives)
2009 meetings:
Thursday 5th February (Road representatives)
Thursday 26th March (Annual General Meeting)
Thursday 14th May (Road representatives)
Thursday 9th July (Road representatives)
Thursday 10th September (Road representatives)
Thursday 22nd October (AutumnGeneral Meeting)
Thursday 17th December (Road representatives)
**********************************************************************
Village Notice Board
Local organisations can advertise forthcoming events on this section of the site free of charge. Please send details to:webmaster@hinchleywood.org.uk
Picture gallery of local events:
2006 St. Christopher's Church Annual Concert, with members of the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
2006 Christmas Carols in the Memorial Gardens.
2008 Fun Day
Forthcoming events
Councillors' Surgeries: second Saturday of every month. Please check the notice board in the Memorial Gardens for further details.
Saturday 11th October 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Hinchley Wood Scouts jumble sale at the Scout & Guide HQ, Lynwood Road. Jumble will be collected on Tuesady evening, 7th October or can be dropped off at Lynwood Road on Friday 10th between 1.30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Alternatively please call 020 8398 1333 or 020 8339 0497 to arrange collection.
Saturday 11th October at 7.30 p.m., at St.Christopher's Church. Members of the BBC Symphony Orchestra will play works by Vivaldi, Bach and Vaughan Williams. Tickets £16 per adult, children free, from Jane Barnett (020 8398 4082) or the parish office (020 8398 9095). Cash or cheques payable to St.Christopher's Church.
Monday 17th November at 7.00pm, Main Hall, Hinchley Wood School. Richard Meyrick Piano Recital. Please contact call Jenny Randall on 020 8398 7161 ext 141for more details and to purchase tickets. Adults £3.50, Concessions £2.
Wednesday 17th December at 7.00pm, St Christopher’s Church. The Voice of Brass for Christmas. Please contact call Jenny Randall on 020 8398 7161 ext 141for more details and to purchase tickets. Adults £6, Concessions £2.50. Thursday 18th December at 7.00pm, Main Hall, Hinchley Wood School. Hinchley Wood Christmas Concert. Please contact call Jenny Randall on 020 8398 7161 ext 141for more details and to purchase tickets. Adults £6, Concessions £2.50.
***********************************************************************
Current Planning Applications
Guidance on residential planning requirements can be found on the Elmbridge website at http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/documents/. Representations about planning applications must be made within 21 days of publication in the weekly list, and can be submitted on line at http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/services/planprop/, or contact
Elmbridge Town Planning Department:
Tel: 01372 474787
email: tplan@elmbridge.gov.uk
Information about recent applications can be seen by following the links below. Within each weekly list, applications are sorted by ward. A brief extract is given of applications relating to Hinchley Wood.
Weekly list 25th September 2008
Application No: 2008/2232. 62 Hillcrest Gardens. Part single/part two storey side/rear extension incorporating front dormer window following demolition of existing garage.
Application No: 2008/2276. 8 Macaulay Avenue. Lawful Development Certificate: Whether planning permission is required for a proposed single storey side extension with pitched roof and pitched roof over existing front bay window and porch following demolition of external WC and store.
Weekly list 18th September 2008
Application No: 2008/2180. 49 Heathside. Single storey rear extension and garage extension with new front porch.
Application No: 2008/2205. Government Buildings Kingston By Pass Road. Reserved Matters application for Appearance, Landscaping, Layout and Scale pursuant toplanning permission 2004/2022 (Outline application for demolition of all existing buildings andredevelopment with housing and community facility served by specific means of access fromA309 - Kingston By Pass). Development incorporating 135 houses and flats and a communitycentre (371sqm) with associated parking following demolition of existing office buildings (12,414sqm).
Weekly list 11th September 2008
Application No: 2008/2131. 9 Harefield. First floor side extension and rear dormer.
Application No: 2008/2154. 37 Medina Avenue. Two storey side extension following demolition of existing garage.
Weekly list 4th September 2008
Application No: 2008/2079. 21 Meadow Close. Single storey front extension and first floor side extension and front and rear dormers.
Application No: 2008/2098. 7 Cumberland Drive. Single storey rear extension.
Weekly list 27th August 2008
Application No: 2008/2056. 32 Harefield. Part single/part two storey rear extension, first floor front extension, alterations to fenestration andconversion of garage into habitable room.
Weekly list 20th August 2008
Application No: 2008/1979. 86 Manor Drive. Single storey side extension and side and rear dormer windows.
Application No: 2008/2015. 8 Weston Lodge Portsmouth Road. Two storey side extension following demolition of existing garage.
Weekly list 14th August 2008
Application No: 2008/1956. 1 Heathside. 2 detached two storey houses following demolition of existing house.
Other applications of continuing interest:
Application No: 2008/1839. Land Rear Of 93-97 Manor Road North. 4 detached two storey houses with additional rooms in the roof space following demolition of side extension at 97 Manor Road North to allow new access road from Manor Road North.
Development to rear of 8 Manor Road South. The Inspector has turned down the appeal against the Planning Committee's refusal of permission for a 'back garden' development fronting Greeways. The Inspector commented among other things that an 11-metre garden was insufficient for the size of house proposed: this may be a useful precedent in relation to future 'back garden' development proposals.
Application No: 2008/0640. Government Buildings Kingston By Pass Road. Residential development comprising 145 units, houses and flats, out of which 44 affordable and a pre-school centre (371sqm) with associated parking and landscaping following demolition of existing office buildings (12,414sqm). We understand that his application has now been WITHDRAWN following advice that it did not conform with the original outline planning permission for the site. Further developments are awaited. See also Save Hinchley Wood website. See also Weekly list 15th May 2008: application No: 2008/1240. Government Buildings Kingston By Pass Road. Residential development comprising 145 units, houses and flats, out of which 44 affordable and a pre-school centre (371sqm) with associated parking and landscaping following demolition of existing office buildings (12,414sqm).
These proposals were unanimously rejected by council officers and the planning committee on 21st July. Further developments are awaited.
Application No: 2008/0450. 1 Heathside. Detached three storey building containing 10 flats with associating parking and landscaping following demolition of existing house. Note: this application is wrongly shown as in Esher ward on the Elmbridge website. Residents in neighbouring properties are objecting to this development. Now changed to an application for two detached houses on the site - see weekly list 14th August 2008, application No: 2008/1956, and Save Hinchley Wood website.
Application No: 2008/0359. 14 Manor Road North ( Hinchley Wood Fruiterers shop). Change of use from retail shop (Class A1) to mixed use coffee shop/wine bar (Class A3 and A4). This application has been rejected. This is on the grounds that it will lead to an increase in noise and disturbance and also that it would increase the proportion of non-shop use in H.W. centre above the threshold for viability and vitality as a shopping area. A number of residents have commented on this, and any further comments can be added on the Hinchley Wood Forum.
Application No: 2007/2970. Hampton Court Station & The Jolly Boatman Hampton Court Way East Molesey. Demolition and comprehensive redevelopment of Hampton Court Station, the Jolly Boatman site and adjoining land to include 66 residential units, retail and commercial floorspace (592 sqm), 46 bedroom hotel, 61 bedroom care home, refurbished railway station, new transport interchange, new areas of public open space, car parking, highways improvements and works to the Thames. A joint development by Gladedale Group Ltd, Network Rail and The Royal Star & Garter Homes. This is a very significant site of both local and national interest, directly opposite Hampton Court Palace. For more information see Molesey Residents Association site. See also Application No: 2008/1600.
Application No: 2007/2570. Castleton Heathside. 3 detached two storey houses with rooms in the roof space and integral garages. See Hinchley Wood Forum for debate about the implications of this proposed development for traffic and pedestrians at the junction of Heathside and the A309; and HWRA Chairman's letter to Planning Inspector.
Application No: 2007/2255. Hinchley Manor, Manor Road. Retrospective application for the installation of 2.325 metres high vehicular and pedestrian automatic gates. In discussion at the recent road representatives meeting, opinion was divided on this application: some thought that it would be an unfortunate precedent for other gated areas which would detract from the character of Hinchley Wood; others thought it might be a reasonable measure for the peace of mind and security of elderly residents.
Application No: 2008/1892. 5 Hinchley Way (former Grantchester House School) . Change of use from school (D1) to residential (C3). Follows applications No: 2007/2164 and 2008/0502 for four pairs of semi-detached dwellings following demolition of existing building. See also application number 2008/1892. A local campaign against these proposals is under way- see Hinchley Wood Forum and the dedicated website http://www.savehinchleywood.co.uk/ for details, or contact the action group at don.beardshall@dbtechserve.co.uk. . See also HWRA Chairman's letter to Planning Inspector.
Application No: 2007/1590. 29 31 & 33 Couchmore Avenue. 12 two storey dwellings (6 detached and 3 pairs of semi-detached) with associated car parking, access and landscaping following demolition of existing dwellings. This was a revised application by Barratt Homes, following the rejection of their appeal against the refusal of planning permission for their previous application. Elmbridge Council's decision to refuse the application, on grounds of overlooking, has been upheld by the planning inspector.
|
|
