Hospital site: Oakhill petition
Paul and Mavis with local residents and petition 15th November
It seems that the joint planning application for the re-development will be issued on the RBK website on 19th November. We have supported Oakhill Residents in a 100 signature petition to RBK to have separate applications. It was handed in at the Guildhall on 15th November by residents supported by Paul and Mavis.
We, the undersigned residents of Surbiton, while acknowledging the need for additional provision of Primary School places in Surbiton, petition the Council to treat the Planning Applications for these two buildings as separate issues on the grounds that
- A polyclinic and a school are two completely separate uses for the site, to be carried on in two completely separate buildings, each raising planning issues proper to itself
- The addition of a 446 pupil school to a polyclinic will lead to increased traffic movements and congestion in Oakhill and South Bank Terrace, contrary to Policy S13 of the Unitary Development Plan, First Alteration, and
- Will thereby adversely affect the amenity of local residents contrary to Policy H1 of the UDP.
Paul explains “The petition acknowledges the need for school places in Surbiton but local people are concerned about traffic generated by such a large school and incensed that the Lib Dems are trying to ‘smuggle’ the school through planning under cover of the polyclinic application.”
We note that the Lib Dem councillors, who have hitherto kept very quiet on this issue have now put out a FOCUS leaflet supporting a school on the site and the ‘smuggling’ operation described above.
Paul and Graham Goldspring of OADRA outline the petition to Receiving Officer at RBK
Surbiton Neighbourhood Planning Meeting
Fireworks in Kingston
There will be a public firework display on Friday 5th November at Kingsmeadow stadium. Follow this link to book tickets online.
Surbiton Hospital latest
| from Graham Goldspring OADRA
Yesterday, I went to the Heritage Working Group at Surbiton Hospital. The aim was to get opinions as to what should be put into the new site and building for the new hospital (apparently ‘polyclinic’ as a term as been removed) in the way of a garden or area to display the commemoration plaques, some of the original brick work, and other memorabilia from the current building which was constructed in the 1930s. They talk as setting this up WHEN the redevelopment gets under way (interesting). The centre of the hospital building will have an open garden courtyard and it was agreed the plaques and any dedicated benches be put there. The front entrance will be restored and preserved. Maybe have a ‘memory’ garden near the main entrance. The entrance gates will be kept as these were a gift from the local council for the King’s Jubilee in 1935. On display at the meeting was the latest architect’s plan. As it is still evolving, no-one can access this online until the planning application is submitted. However other things were said which will be of interest. The main one is that Marcus Ballard (representing the company which has put together the business plan for the re-development) confirmed that the joint planning application for the re-development will be issued on the RBK website on 19th November. So, time is now very short. There will be also an application for Conservation Consent to demolish No. Oakhill (Elmside). The case for its demolition in the interests of the whole site development (!!) is being made by Alan Baxter Associates, who are Heritage Buildings’ consultants. I have contacted the Victorian Society today. Alex Baldwin has left their employ and the contact person is now Chris Costello. They know Alan Baxter very well and recognise his expertise in heritage consultation. I referred to a letter Alex sent to Marcus Ballard objecting to the demolition of Elmside, suggesting it could be used as part of the school if that goes ahead. He said they can’t do any more until the planning applications are published. They also picked up on a query that the report from the Transport Working group needs to be part of the planning application. So the follow-up meeting to the one held at the beginning of this month will not be January but around 15 November. The covenant issue relates only to a large area of land where the school is proposed. Ian Nixon of the NHS has checked and there is no record of who owns the covenant presently. According to Marcus Ballard, someone needs to produce proof that he/she has inherited a covenant from anyone listed in the Land registry title deeds. If not, then the chain is broken and the covenant is not enforcable. At the moment, there is no evidence there is an unbroken chain. The plan now shows soft grass and sand playing areas around the school at ground level where the position of Elmside is at the moment. So demolishing the villa will be so the school can have these playing areas and a cycle/pedestrian path from the end of Oakhill to the school and the hospital campus. The number of parking spaces for the new hospital is now 69. I noticed that only half are for long stay (1 hr), about a quarter medium stay (30 mins) and again about 20% short stay. There are also 2-3 bays for patient carrier vehicles and disabled transport. Graham Goldspring |
New telephone scam
From RBK Trading Standards via Kingston Centre for Independent Living
Very Important!
Advice to residents about telephone scam
Kingston Council is advising residents about a telephone scam that is currently being attempted in the Royal Borough of Kingston.
The Council was contacted by approximately twenty residents recently who have been contacted by telephone by someone claiming to be ringing from ‘The Council Tax department’.
The caller is telling residents that they are entitled to a rebate on their Council Tax or that their Council tax band has been changed to a lower rate.
The caller says that all the resident has to do is provide details of the residents’ bank account and the caller will transfer the ‘rebate’ to their account. Some residents have also been asked to send a sum of money to a given account to cover the cost of ‘administration’ or to make a donation to ‘charity’.
In all instances the advice from Kingston Council is DO NOT provide details of your bank account or date of birth over the telephone.
Residents who receive such an approach are advised to ask for the name and telephone number of the caller and finish the call. Any genuine caller from Kingston Council will be happy to provide their name and a number where residents can return the call to verify the details.
Commenting, Aiden Walsh, Assistant Manager of the Counter Fraud and Corruption Unit at Kingston Council, said:
“The chances are that anyone receiving a call along these lines are that it is a scam.
Kingston Council has received a steady flow of calls today which indicates that the scammers are currently targeting residents in this area. The police are aware of the increase in activity today.
Residents who are in any doubt are advised to ask for the name and contact details of the caller and finish the call. If in doubt, contact your local Council Tax office and they can check whether there are any changes to your entitlement.”
To contact Kingston Council Tax visit – www.kingston.gov.uk/council_tax
Note that all the Council tax numbers are 8547 xxxx ones.
Local roadworks in progress
From RBK Highways
SURBITON
1. MAPLE ROAD: By Surbiton Crescent – footway and carriageway _ Signals modernisation promoted by Transport for London. Until 15-11-10.
2. HOOK ROAD: Gas mains replacements from junction with Herne Road to the junction with Kingston By pass. TfL works on cycling and safety improvements with 2 ways traffic lights. Due to be completed on the 23-10-10.
Surbiton Forum 