Dear Members
I hope that you have all had a happy and enjoyable few days over Christmas/New Year, seeing members of your family, opening presents and consuming food that does not usually form part of your diet, but is so very enjoyable.
For the LRA it has been a busy time, largely because of the submission of the Planning Application in respect of the proposed development of “The Red House Gardens,” aka “Bull Hill”, and the Swan Centre by the Leret Partnership.
First of all, there was, what seemed to us, the rather late publication of the Application on 2nd December plus the inconveniently early closing date for public comment thereon of 6th January. After protest this was changed to 14th January. However, we now learn that it is unlikely that the Application will be considered before the summer, possibly even late summer.
Quite why the Application should be rushed out just before Christmas and then a decision on it delayed for months is currently a mystery. Could it be that the approximate 670 comments on the Application, mostly critical of particularly the Bull Hill element, and the recent refusal of consent for another “tower-block” development in Redhill, have caused Leret to have a rethink as to the Leatherhead proposals? We can only live in hope!
However, there are also other matters afoot requiring our attention and thought. Once the current District and County Councils are abolished in 2027, settlements that do not already have Parish Councils can opt to set them up to act as liaison bodies between residents and the new Unitary Authorities on local more minor matters. Funding would be by an additional charge (a precept) added to everyone’s Council Tax.
Leatherhead is a possible candidate for a Parish Council and there is a Public Consultation in progress at the moment, which runs until Friday, February 20th. For further information please go to “Community Governance Review” on the Mole Valley Council website. The responses will be taken into account when our Council makes its decision.
I regret to say that my recent report expressing delight at work at last taking place on the old “Building Supplies” shop at the top of our High Street has proved wrong. The shop behind the retained façade has been demolished, but there doesn’t appear to be anything further taking place at the moment. However better news is that the former Santander shop, at the junction of High Street and Church Street, has at last been let and fitted out, albeit as yet another coffee shop. However, I suppose a smart coffee shop is better than an empty property.
The L.R.A. is to have a members’ meeting on Monday 9th February to discuss the up-to-date position on both the Transform Leatherhead Planning Application and the consultation on the prospect of a Parish Council for our Town.
As usual the meeting will be at 7.30pm at The Methodist Church.
I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on the 9th February.
With all best wishes
Caroline Brown (Director in the LRA).