Dear Members

Given its importance to the future of our Town, I make no apology for the fact that this Bulletin is exclusively on the subject of Transform Leatherhead, following the Leret Partnership’s “Forum” meeting on the subject that took place on Wednesday 12^th February at the Theatre.

For those who did not attend, the meeting was well supported and whilst there were no plans and artists impressions on display or for the attendees to take away, these were shown on screen as the various speakers explained what is now proposed.

As far as the Swan Centre is concerned, the latest proposals are not dissimilar to those of last year. The first-floor deck above the main entrance is cut away to create an open concourse area, whilst new restaurant buildings are provided to either side.   A multi-screen cinema is constructed on the service deck above the mall, accessed via a new lift/stair core from the mall.

The plans for Bull Hill have, however, changed quite significantly, with the hotel building deleted, the creation of a larger replacement Park and many of the taller buildings replaced with four 5-6 storey blocks along the Bull Hill frontage.  A number of very tall buildings remain however, notably at the bottom of Station Road and adjacent to the railway line.  The Transport Hub remains in the north-west corner but is now accessed from Station Road rather than Randalls Road.

The LRA held a meeting on the 17^th February to discuss these latest proposals and many of the points made by our members re-iterated comments made at the “Forum“ meeting.  Specifically on the Swan Centre these included:

“Why can’t the developers help the Theatre to have a better cinema offering, instead of building a new one?” 

“Will the new concourse in front of the entrance be practical, when it is open to the elements?”

“Will a new cinema be viable when there are so many competing screens in nearby centres such as Epsom, Dorking, Reigate, Esher and Guildford?”

“Any new cinema should be capable of conversion to another use in case it proves unviable.”

“Residents wanted more or better shops not more restaurants.”

“Would the cost of the proposed works be better spent on a simple refurbishment of the Centre, together with subsidised rents to attract new retailers?”

As regards Bull Hill comments included the following:

“The revised, larger Park is a great improvement.”​

“Who will own and manage the buildings and the common areas such as the Park ?”

“A number of the buildings are still excessively tall; have they been justified by the “Tall Buildings Survey“ required by the Local Plan ?

“Is a substantial new office building really viable with so much vacant office space available?”

“The proposed buildings on Bull Hill are a great improvement.”

“Is the access road to the Transport Hub capable of handling the likely traffic?”

Of course, one of the most fundamental queries for both the Swan Centre and Bull Hill is will Mole Valley District Council be around to implement this 10 year development, when the Government is proposing to disband district councils and vest their functions in Surrey County Council?

You have the opportunity to study these proposals and comment on them at the public consultation exercise that the Leret Partnership will be conducting in the first two weeks of March.  There is a “Zoom” virtual meeting between 19:00-20:00 on Monday 10^th March and live meetings in the former Clintons Cards unit in the Swan Centre between 14:00-20:00 on Thursday 13th March and between 10:00-16:00 on Saturday 15^th March.  I do urge you to attend one of these meetings, study the plans and give the Leret Partnership your views thereon.

Please do not forget that I cannot continue in my role as Chairman of the LRA after the end of April.    Perhaps a couple of people could share the job?   I could make suggestions if that was thought a way forward.   We have around 5 people who are prepared to continue in their current roles, so there is an existing team with whom a new Chairman could work, so please think about it!!

With best wishes to all of you.

Caroline (Brown)

Chairman​

Dear Members

I do apologise for the lateness of this Bulletin. So many things crossed my path that I kept on having to start again! I will start with the problems on Church Street.

These occurred just over a week ago when drivers were exiting the shops in Church Street by driving into and up the High Street, despite this being banned between 10.30 and 18.00. This led to a very close call between a pedestrian and a car. However, I think, most of the problems have now been solved. The “no access” sign is clearly visible, and the red plastic “fencing” around the gas works has been repositioned. So now there should be no unwelcome surprises for shoppers using the High Street. Forecast to last for ten weeks, the gas repairs should apparently be complete by the middle of March.

My next item concerns the future plans of Transform Leatherhead. The developers, the Leret Partnership, are holding a “Forum” meeting on Wednesday 12th February at 7.00pm in the Leatherhead Theatre where they will reveal their revised proposals for this project. These follow on from the public consultation that took place last year into their previous proposals. All are welcome to attend, and I would urge as many residents as possible to do so, as the eventual form of this project will define the Town for the next 50 years or more. It is therefore essential that as many residents as possible understand what is proposed and are in a position to make their views known when these are sought.

Improvements that should NOT need meetings and consultations are the steps down from the bridge on Waterway Road to the river and the path from there under the railway bridge. The steps have no handrail and are frequently covered by (slippery) leaves. The path is ankle deep in mud, especially in rainy weather. The interesting and unexpected mural under the bridge is effectively invisible. How can we ever promote our River Walk while it is dangerous and extremely muddy to use it?.

And now another rather long standing problem regarding the (former) School Site at the junction of the Kingston Road and Aperdele Road. As many people know, a Planning Application has been lodged seeking consent for a Care Home. Some local residents believe that this land might have been designated as a “Village Green” back in the 60s and question, therefore, whether it is capable of development now. Others feel that, if it were to be developed it would be more in the spirit of requirements and location if it were used to provide facilities for young people.

Similarly, one cannot but hope that a comprehensive plan can be drawn up for the “Bridge,” a white cemented building not far from The Hub but incorporating diseased cement called RAAC. So many uses could be suggested for a redeveloped building: a training ground for aspiring young electricians, builders, plumbers, computer operatives and so on. Perhaps even a Band or a dancing school. In other words, another branch of something like Nescot but much nearer home and more accessible for local students. There is even space at the back which could be used for some organised, outside sport.

Moving now to one of our neighbours, I understand that, sadly, the Chair of the Ashtead Residents Association has had to suddenly withdraw because of health problems. However, the email address of chairman@ashteadresidents.org.uk should still reach him.

Still on the topic of health, I must tell you that I, too, am in line for some major operative work which will prevent my continuing as Chairman after the end of April. We are looking for a replacement. It is interesting work, but you do need to be fit, computer savvy and have the use of a car! We are still looking! An ideal new Chairman would be someone who, first and foremost is genuinely interested in our ancient town but is also not fazed by meetings and Minutes! We have a small team of Directors, but there would be room for more if the new Chairman had interested friends.

Finally, I would like to tell you about some very heartening work in various fields being performed by volunteers in our area who are members of the Leatherhead Rotary Club. This Club does not have one single beneficiary, rather each member of the Team supports a different charity. The first such item this year is a Bingo Evening on Saturday 8th February at, and in aid of, Trinity School, Woodville Road, KT22 7YBP. It starts at 7.30 pm, costs £5 to get in and there are cash prizes, but bring your own food and drink. Tickets and info from Simon Edmands on 07753 821964 or leatherheadrotary@gmail.com
One of the more well-known charities that the Rotary Club works with is the British Heart Foundation. They are one of the very few charities that will accept electrical goods, as they are able to have them Safety Tested before selling them on. If you have surplus electrical goods, their nearest branch is in Reigate with a smaller one in Epsom.

I do hope that I will see as many of you as possible at the “Forum” meeting on Wednesday 12th February and we will be having an LRA meeting to discuss what has been revealed within a week or two thereafter – exact date to be confirmed.

With very best wishes,
Caroline (Brown)
Chairman

Dear Members

I feel as if I have been buffeted by a high wind for very nearly the whole of this year.  Early on, our Council was in close contact with their chosen developers and trying to find a cure for some (if not all!) of Leatherhead’s problems.   When their plans were finally revealed they seemed to follow the blueprint that our government is seeking for the whole country, namely unchecked 1950’s style development which has little regard for existing landscapes and townscapes. However, there is, perhaps, a small beacon of hope to be taken from the last announcement coming from The Leret Partnership.  In it they acknowledge that their public consultation revealed (1) a desire for an improved range of shops, (2) strong concern as to the height of any new buildings, (3) a wish for the retention of a much larger park on the Bull Hill site and (4) the necessity for a full transport assessment of the one-way system. This is a tall order, but one I believe is capable of being fulfilled.

I recently attended a meeting between Mole Valley, Surrey Council and the various Residents’ Associations in our area to discuss one problem in particular, and that is the very narrow footpath on Waterway Road.   One suggestion was that there should be two new bridges over the Mole, not for cars but for bikes and pedestrians.   One would be near Thorncroft Drive and the other much nearer the town.    These would help people keen on sport, but I am not sure how they would improve the journey on foot or bike from Fetcham to Therfield School.

At long last there does seem to be a breakthrough on the subject of local banking services.  It seems that Dorking is likely to have a “Banking Hub” but thus far Leatherhead has only been granted an “automated deposit service (notes).”     Apparently the former should be available within a few months, but an appeal process is sought to push for a similar service in Leatherhead.

Several members of the Leatherhead Residents’ Association attended a Surrey Police meeting at the end of last month where the Police revealed their plans for their new district H.Q on the site of the old ERA building on Cleeve Road.  It seems that this could create significant short and long term job opportunities as well as a boost to local retail and other trade.

And now for a few words on what is happening on the Drama front in Leatherhead this Christmas season.   I think our festivities should be mentioned and applauded where possible.   On Saturday, 13th December, there were two events. One was supported by our Council in the Abraham Dixon Hall and enabled the free filming of “A Christmas Carol.” Whilst written by Charles Dickens, it was performed by those much more up-to-date characters, “The Muppets.”   Free tea and mince pies were included.    ​

The other event is the pantomime, Dick Whittington, which is performed in the Thorndike Theatre and will continue throughout the month of December.  It is in the true, traditional style of Pantos, containing amusing jokes, implausible action and some fantastic costumes.   The audience is regularly encouraged to either ask questions or to repeat phrases.    The actors, all with superb voice and well-trained speech, push the rather lightweight story clearly on.   Dick’s cat, a major character, moves effortlessly from short feline ripostes to extremely comprehensible, plain English and takes the audience with him.   The traditional Dame has a variety of amazing, uncoordinated outfits and slips in numerous comments on the action to the audience alone, thus occasioning much laughter.   Dick himself is a delightful, friendly character.

Regarding our Association, as you probably know, we have been trying very hard to find a new Chairman to take over from me in April.   Our search goes on, so I would be very pleased to hear from anyone who thinks the role may be of interest.   We have had some offers in respect of smaller roles, and I am hoping to see them in early January.  We in Mole Valley and others in other communities and Councils are going to have their work cut out trying to deflect or, at the very least, modify Government development plans and in my view, it is important that the LRA is fully resourced and able to help local residents in this regard.

Our next meeting will be in the Leatherhead Methodist Church as usual, at 7.30 pm on Monday, 20th January 2025.   We decided at the last Board meeting to make it into a “Social,” with a short formal meeting followed by an opportunity for us all to chat and socialise with each other, accompanied by finger food, soft drinks and tea/coffee. 

I must now get this Bulletin sent on its way before some of the content becomes irrelevant!

With best seasonal wishes from me and the rest of the Board,

Caroline (Brown)

Chairman​

Dear Members

Well, what a change! At the time of writing this Bulletin the ice outside in the bucket was so hard I could not break it with my hand – I needed a stone! I wonder if this is a foretaste of things to come in our Town! Let’s hope not!

As I imagine you are aware, your LRA is in urgent need of new Directors/Officers to help in its running ! Some of us are unable to continue in our present roles (you will know that I will resign as chairman this coming April) and there are some areas where we are not as “on the ball” as we would like to be. One such area is our use of social media, which has become such an important communication tool in the modern world. Another is the organising of social events, such as the “Open Gardens Days “ and “Race Nights “ that used to be such a feature of our calendar . There are others.

So, with this as a starting point, we are looking for more people who really care about Leatherhead to step up to the “plate” (or the screen!) and help to run our Residents’ Association. We are an official consultee of our Council and never has there been a more important time for us to be able to take advantage of this status by presenting the views of our members on the important issues currently facing our Town. If you feel you can make a contribution, please do contact me and we can discuss what roles we would like help with and which might best suit your skills and preferences.

Of course one of the biggest current issues is “Transform’s“ proposals for Bull Hill. Since the public consultation closed and the petition against the current proposals was delivered to the Council at their meeting on the 15th October 2024 , there has been little if any further comment from the Council. Let us hope that this means that they and their development partners are having to do some fundamental re-appraising of whether, and if so what, should be developed on this site. Recent planning decisions in nearby Redhill and Hersham show that we are not alone in rejecting the urbanisation of our Town by the construction of multi-storey tower blocks.

Also, at the 15th October Council meeting it was announced that under the new Governments revised planning regulations, the housing allocation set by the new Local Plan might have to be doubled in relatively short order. Quite how this can be achieved when it was such a struggle to achieve the current target remains to be seen. Perhaps instead of doubling the present allocation for the Districts existing settlements, could the answer be found in what the LRA and others suggested when the current plan was being formulated i.e. the construction of an entirely new settlement in the relatively undeveloped southern part of the District?

In spite of all that, we do have some things to be thankful for:

A Georgian Christmas in Leatherhead
On 6th December (3.00pm to 6.30pm) and on 7th December (11.00am to 3.00pm) there will be a Jane Austen inspired Georgian Christmas in the Swan Centre complete with artisan market stalls, costumed characters and other traditional Christmas activities, like readings from “Emma,” Carols and a charity toy sale. This is a “Carnival” plus, and not to be missed !

Update on Waste and Recycling Collections
I hear that the Council’s waste contractor, Amey, has promised an improvement in their waste and recycling collections with another collection crew having been introduced and further training for staff. Our Council apparently welcomes this but is to continue to stress the importance of greater performance in their further meetings with Amey.

Business Improvement District
On Wednesday 13th November businesses in Leatherhead were invited to have their say on the idea of a proposed Business Improvement District (BID) for Leatherhead. The event was hosted by the newly formed “Leatherhead BID Steering Group” and funded by the Council. Online responses will be accepted until 27th November. For all enquiries, please email the Leatherhead BID Steering Group at leatherheadbid@gmail.com

Community Safety Priorities
Mole Valley’s Community Safety Partnership is made up of much larger groups like the Surrey Police, Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner, Surrey Council, Surrey and Sussex Probation Service, Surrey Fire Authority, Surrey Heartlands Clinical Commissioning Group and Local Housing Associations.

They all collaborate to reduce crime and disorder and can prioritize local actions where it adds value. Have you been a victim of crime or anti-social behaviour? Are there places in Mole Valley where you don’t feel safe? Are you confident that crime is being tackled? Visit https://www.molevalley.gov.uk/mvcsp/ until Wed. 18 Dec 2024 to fill in a helpful form.

Rethink Waste Initiative
The aims of this scheme are to raise awareness among all sections of society, not just the very young. Led by the Surrey Environment Partnership, a series of online quizzes, pledges and videos are offered to those signing up and the prizes are Points which can be used to donate to Charities or to support local schools. Schools with the most points win a share of the Prize Money. Since its launch Rethink Waste has awarded over £17,000 to Surrey primary schools. Just google and lots of ideas will appear.

Local Government Finance
A newly published Local Government Association (LGA) Finance Peer Challenge report acknowledges Mole Valley as a well-managed and proactive council which nonetheless faces significant financial pressures. The extent of these pressures was made clear at a recent Council meeting where it was revealed that despite having made savings of approaching £0.5m, another £1.2m are required.

With all best festive wishes for a happy run-up to Christmas,
Caroline (Brown)
Chairman

Apart from reminding you that our AGM is on 21st October 2024, three other items need to be brought to your attention:

The Litter Pick is to take place on Sunday 27th October, NOT on the 29th. It starts at 2.00pm in the Randalls Road car park and finishes there at 4.00 pm. You can, of course, pick up litter at any time and just bring your bag to our collecting point, by the hedge in the car park.

Carol Stoves, who runs the Leatherhead Methodist Church where we hold our meetings, would like me to advertise the annual Art Club Exhibition taking place in the Old Chapel of St. John’s School from 20th to 27th October. St. John’s is on the Epsom Road, Leatherhead KT22 8SP. Last year, I was amazed at the talent I saw displayed.

From a member who lives close by, she would like everyone to know that the footpath which joins Fetcham to Leatherhead, called “The Splash” has been given a new, higher “floor” level which rather suggests that the name is now somewhat obsolete and you can walk down without wellington boots!!

Finally, I understand that our helpful Tea or Coffee server, Tony Russell, will not be able to come to the AGM to fulfil these tasks and so, could I ask another couple of brave souls take his place?

With best wishes to you all,
Caroline Brown

Dear Members

Mole Valley Growth

Since writing my August Bulletin, things in Mole Valley seem to have shot forward at great (and possibly undesirable) speed.   The Local Plan which has taken almost thirty months to draw up before being sent to the Inspector has now been returned by her with praise for it being legally compliant and sound, subject to some relatively minor amendments.

Unfortunately, even if this Plan is adopted, that does not seem to be the end of the matter.   Currently, the plan targets the provision of 336 homes per year, or 6,384 over the plan period 2020-2039.   Of these, some 30% are destined for Leatherhead.   However, the new Government is currently consulting on a new National Planning Policy, which might well mean that our Council would have to revise the currently planned target to a figure that could be double that number.  She also suggested that a Taller buildings study should be completed.

Policing Your Community Road Show

Leaving the subject of ever more housing, I should like to bring to your attention a new sort of “show”.   This is the “Policing Your Community Road Show” being organised by our Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, and by the Chief Constable for Surrey, Tim de Meyer.   This will take place on 22 October at Therfield School from 6.30pm to 8.00pm (online, search for <Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey>)

The Plough Roundabout

And now for some potentially good news about a very familiar feature:  The money from CIL has actually arrived and Cllr. Vyvyan-Robinson is busy trying to design some sort of planted scheme where the implementation plus its upkeep and insurance is not going to impoverish anyone!   She has some ideas and I have also described one I saw recently, so between us we may arrive at an attractive feature.

McMillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning

There will be a coffee morning to support this charity on Friday 27 September between 10.00am and 10.30am in the Kirby Room of the Abraham Dixon Hall.   Apologies for this rather late notice.

Arts Alive Festival

You will all recognise this title and it is very heartening to see it appear each year and each time with an interesting series of events.    This year there is no printed list of events but instead there is a very informative post on this address <Arts-Alive-Logo-2024-col-300-300×300.png-500> The first offerings start on 29^th September so book up before it is too late.

Changing Places Toilets

This is an entirely new venture by our Council to try to ensure that even those with problems in that area will now be able to attend outside events or go to shops without worry.   Paul Kennedy, MVDC Cabinet Member for Internal Services and Security (with responsibility for equalities), said: “The new Changing Places Toilets will allow some of our most vulnerable and in-need residents to visit, shop and socialise in Dorking and Leatherhead, confident in the knowledge that they can use a toilet facility with dignity and comfort. This will allow families to plan days out without the worry of having to cut the trip short.

Litter Pick in October

We shall be holding our bi-annual Litter Pick on Sunday, 27^th October in Randalls Road car park from 2.00pm to 4.00pm.  Julia (Jarrett) will, bring the usual picks, bags and gloves.   However, if you wish to see to a particularly bad spot on another day, do let me (chairman@leatherheadresidents.org.uk) or Julia know, and we could have the equipment ready for you earlier in the week.   

AGM for 1 Jan 2023 to 31 Dec 2023

The next LRA meeting will be our AGM on 21^st October at 7 .30pm in the Leatherhead Methodist Church.    A formal AGM Notice will be sent to Members shortly.   Apart from the usual official business of an AGM, our speaker will be Julian Ashworth from Leatherhead’s Wildlife Aid, who will talk about the small army of over 300 volunteers who are continuing Simon Colwell’s vision of making the world a better place for us and our animal neighbours.   There will be an opportunity to make a donation to the Sanctuary.

With all good wishes and hopes to see you at our next meeting,

Caroline Brown (Chairman)

Dear Members

I hope that you are all well and able to appreciate this nice, sunny weather that we are having at long last.

Transform Leatherhead
Unfortunately for me, this pleasant interlude is somewhat spoilt by the psychological “cloud” that hangs over me in the form of the “Transform Leatherhead“ proposals. You will recall from my July Bulletin and from the discussion that took place at our “Open Meeting“ on Monday 5th August, that there appears to be almost universal concern in respect of the principal element, namely the development of Bull Hill to include our Park. It is proposed that far too much floor-space is built (we estimate approaching 700,000 sq. ft) in buildings that are far too tall (up to 12 storeys). By comparison the proposals for the Swan Centre are relatively benign to include a small multi-screen cinema at deck level and the conversion of a couple of shops to yet more eateries. Whether this will be sufficient to rejuvenate our High Street must be debateable!

Of course you may have different views, but whatever they may be, I do think it important that you let the Leret Partnership know what they are. You can do this either by filling in the “Feedback” form, or, better still by writing more fully. The email address is info@theleretpartnersip.co.uk or you can post to FREEPOST leret. For those who haven’t yet been to one of the presentations of the proposals, there is one at the Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall on 5th September and one at The Old Barn Hall in Bookham on the 11th September. Both run from 17:30-19:30. Our local Councillors would also like to know our opinions, so a copy of your letter to the Leret Partnership could also be sent to them. Our Head of Planning in MV, Piers Mason, has asked me to remind you that letters do not need to be sent to MV., only to the Leret Partnership, but your councillors would like to hear your views.

Our Councillors are: Bridget Kendrick, Gareth Parsons, Joanna Slater (All for S. Leatherhead) and Ben Wall, Benjamin Wear and Keira Vyvyan-Robinson.
Alternatively, you could also send me an email if you are wondering how to frame your letter: chairman@leatherheadresidents.org.uk

The Fetcham Seating Area
By contrast, I went to Fetcham the other day and could not help being struck not only by their new seating area (complemented by the names of the donors on bricks laid on the ground) but also by their array of some 15 or so shops, all appearing to be trading well. What a pleasure to see such a prosperous little centre, aided I am sure by one’s ability to swing into a free parking space, to do one’s shopping and then leave with the minimum of fuss and bother. Such a seating area could be made at our “Waterless Feature”, making it flat from the upper pavement. It would certainly encourage people to linger and thus, perhaps, to do a bit more shopping. (But, yes, I do remember the covered Band Stand and why it went!)

Incidentally, Fetcham is up in arms against the Solar Panel “farm.” (Situated on the Cobham Road, just before the bridge over the M25, roughly opposite the Yehudi Menuhin School). They say (quite reasonably) that Surrey itself could harvest sunshine by covering all the car parks and other municipal buildings with such panels AND collect the financial reward! In contrast, the farmer who uses these fields will lose his livelihood and we would lose the pleasant sight of crops or animals in the fields.

Police Eastern Headquarters in Leatherhead
You may have already seen that the Surrey Police is seeking to locate the Eastern Divisional Headquarters in Leatherhead. They tried to move the whole Surrey Headquarters to Leatherhead a few years ago, after buying the former E.R.A. and Cobham Industries site on Cleeve Road, but, after further studies, decided to remain at Mount Browne in Guildford.
However, the discovery of unstable concrete (RAAC) in the modernisation of Reigate Police Station last September has made them come to the difficult decision to re-site the Eastern Divisional Headquarters from Reigate to Leatherhead. It will be a while before this happens, though, as they are awaiting a decision on the Planning Application for the re-development of the Mount Browne HQ first.

Epsom Hospital
The Epsom & St. Helier University Hospital Trust’s Annual Public Meeting is on Wednesday 18th September at the Epsom playhouse from 17.30-19.30. Attendees can have a free blood-pressure test and the talk will include a description of their cutting-edge “nuclear scanner.” For further info go to www.epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk/annual-public-meeting-2024

The LRA Website
Some of you may have noticed that our website has not been fully functional and the fact that the contents of “Documents” has disappeared. However, most of the important items can now be accessed from the Home page.

A new Chairman for the LRA
The last matter I want to bring up in this Newsletter is the fact of my retiring from this highly interesting “job” which I have been part of for 25 years, secretary for 15 years and Chairman for 10 years. The Association will therefore need a new Chairman or even a little “team” of about 3 people to include a Vice-Chairman and Secretary as well, to step into my shoes and work with the remaining Directors on issues such our Finance, Health, Roads, Planning Applications, meetings etc.

To protect ourselves and our members, we are constituted as a Company Limited by Guarantee and have Public and Directors insurance. We are privileged to be recognised by our Council as an accredited consultee on matters that impact on Leatherhead residents. To be part of this group is a wonderful way to take part in, and make a contribution to the life of our Town. I will be resigning in April 2025 which is when a new Chairman/team can take over.

With all my best wishes
Caroline (Brown, Chairman)

Since writing the above, I have since learned of another, worried action group, “Save Bull Hill.” If you would like further information, do contact them at savebullhill@gmail.com They tell me that they are a group “of concerned local residents passionate about Leatherhead’s future.” I am going there for a quick meeting on Friday afternoon, but they are handing out flyers on Saturday morning (24th August) in the park. I will ask for some if you get this too late.

Dear Members

Well, now we have it, the plans for using Bull Hill (or, as we residents know it, Red House Grounds or “The Park”) for a huge development incorporating residential, offices, a hotel, a multi-storey car park and some ground floor café/community space have been revealed.   I am sure that many of you will have gone either into the ex-Clintons shop in the Swan Centre or to “The Jam Place” on the Kingston Road, to view and comment on the proposals.

Opinions will no doubt vary, but mine is that constructing what I believe may amount to approaching 700,000 sq. ft of accommodation in buildings, some of which are 12 storeys high, is a massive over-development of this site.    Not only will the Town lose its Park (albeit replaced by a green “postage stamp “), but the project will be completely at variance with the character and existing townscape of Leatherhead, when the draft Local Plan specifies that it should integrate well into that character.

On one of my visits to the public display of the plans, people were attaching their stick-it notes with their opinions on to the surrounding wall, which was then covered in them.   I read quite a few, and the reactions were very similar.   Everyone was saying that the buildings were too many and too high.

I realise that both Transform and the draft Local Plan require that there is substantial residential development on Bull Hill / the Park, and that there will need to be a multi-storey car park to replace the existing surface parking and we also need some replacement green space.  But could there not be a smaller, lower and more harmonious project if the large office building and hotel were accommodated elsewhere?  In any event, I understand it is questionable whether there is occupier demand for either of these uses.   Also, on balance, a maximum height of 5 stories would also be far more in keeping with the town. At an altogether different level, I have one piece of reasonably good news:  the PloughRoundabout is going to be “tamed,” (or, rather, mown) and replanted.    Not with Planters as was originally envisaged, but with wildflowers, bulbs and a few new trees.   It must all be planned in line with Surrey’s scheduled mowing plans for the whole County.   However,

Surrey will mow but not rake away the cut grass so, instead of a litter pick sometime, we may be looking for a volunteer or two to do some raking! However, this will need to be agreed by Surrey Highways.

Incidentally, I learn from “Hello” magazine that Mole Valley is the third happiest place to live in the UK, only bettered by the Ribble Valley and Wokingham. Whilst no doubt the cause of much recent frustration, the recent spurt of road works by Surrey Highways will only have added to the District’s attractions!

As I mentioned in June’s Bulletin, I have invited two police officers to attend our next meeting on 5th August.   I have often been told that the LRA should invite the Police to speak to us periodically.     While I was preparing the invitation, I was astonished to discover that MV has 9 officers of various grades.   I had thought we had about 4!   Please bring a question or two, preferably on paper, which I can then hand to our Speakers for them to answer.

You will be interested to learn that the small donation we made for the restoration of a historic work of art in Fetcham has resulted in their C17 Royal Coat of Arms hanging in their church, now looking absolutely magnificent with all the detail clearly visible.   At the time it was made, (ca. 1670), it was mandatory for every church in the country to display such a panel or “picture” so as to demonstrate their loyalty to the King and not to Cromwell!    The church is open most of the time, so if you go to see it, it is in the far aisle on the wall on the left.

Finally, two reminders.   Our AGM this year will be on 7th October in the usual place and at the usual time. I would also like to remind you that sometime in 2025 I will resign from being Chairman and am still hoping that another person or persons will come on the scene to take things over.

Meanwhile, I will wish you all a warm and happy summer and hope to see you on August 5th.

With all best wishes,

Caroline (Brown)

Dear Members

For many of us, this last month has seen a marked up-turn in activity related to the Transform Leatherhead project.   Firstly, on 13^th May, there was a meeting between the Leret partnership (MVDC and Kier) and a small number of recognised local consultees, of which the LRA was one.  This was to be followed by consultations with members of the public, but these meetings had to be postponed once the General Election was announced.    A new series of dates in July has now been announced as follows – “The Jam Place” on the 11^th and 20^th July, the former Clinton’s Cards shop in the Swan Centre on the 13^th and the 16^th and a Zoom meeting, again on the 16^th.   More detail is contained in the revised notifications that are being posted to all.

It will be interesting to see whether the proposals have changed from those shown to us on the 13^th May, which certainly caused us even more concern than previous options put forward.   However, it is for you the residents of Leatherhead to voice your own opinions and so I recommend that you attend one of these consultations, as after a decade of little real progress it does appear that “Transform Leatherhead” might be close to actually coming to fruition.  It is important therefore that you comment on the latest proposals that might actually get built.  If in addition to expressing your views to the Development Partnership at the meeting you attend, you have the time to email me your views when you get back home, I would be most interested to hear of them.

Moving now on to other items:  I am delighted to see the refurbishment of the former Santander Bank in the High Street is completed and very smart it looks with a new roof and windows and fully redecorated.  It grieved me (like many others, I am sure) to see it swathed in protective plastic month after month.  From the Planning Department, I also read that the lime trees between the Theatre and Waitrose are to have a stay of execution and will instead receive a stiff prune.

I am, however, sorry to have to tell you that all ideas for improving the Plough Roundabout with four large planters have had to be shelved.   It transpired that neither our District Council nor the County Council were prepared to take ownership of them and if the LRA had done so the public liability insurance complications were too complex to be practical.  It is a great pity because we were offered grant funding to provide both planters and plants.

One of our Directors is particularly vigilant when it comes to our roads and pavements.   Both he and one of our Councillors have complained long and hard about the state of the road leading to the Recycling Depot “the tip.”   For a road leading to a public facility and used by both enormous lorries as well as private cars it is very poorly maintained, narrow and full of deep holes.  It has been in this parlous state for a very long time and it really should be brought up to a reasonable standard.

Another area involving tarmac is the path running under Waterway Road Bridge, part of the Riverside Path.   It is a mass of mud, not at all conducive to walking, and far too wide to just jump over.    This path also has steps leading down from Waterway Road.   It is quite a steep drop and these steps, in addition to being very slippery in wet weather, do not even have a solid hand rail to help those who use them.

As you already know, we have two police officers coming to talk to us at our meeting on Monday 5^th August.    Out of interest, I went to the website called <surrey.police.uk/area/ your-area/surrey/news-search-Leatherhead/surrey> and looked at the crime figures for various places in our area.   Sadly, I noticed that Leatherhead High Street seemed to have the highest amount of theft, although other, nearby areas were equally disheartening for other types of crime.    Please don’t forget that the reason P.C.s Keen and Storey have been asked is so that we can put questions directly to them and they will probably make suggestions to us.   So, either come with questions you would like answered or send them to me in advance and I will pass them on so you can be sure of a comprehensive response.

With all best wishes,

Caroline (Brown, Chairman)

Dear Members

Leatherhead Town:

Perhaps the most exciting piece of news for Leatherhead is the start of the promised consultations between the Transform Leatherhead development partnership of Kier and MVDC, and us, the actual residents of the Town.   To this end, the Partnership has engaged a firm of professional designers and architects, called Design South-East, to meet with key stakeholders to form an accurate picture of what we would like, or perhaps, not like.  The first of these meetings took place on 13th May 2024 and two more are scheduled.

A programme of consultations with members of the public is also about to start.   Two of these will be in the old Clintons Cards unit in the Swan Centre, on 8th and 15th June from 10.00am to 2.00pm, a third one will be in “The Jam Place” at 299 Kingston Road on 6th June from 2.00pm till 6.00pm and the last one, a Virtual Event, will be on 18th June between 6.00pm and 7.00pm.  We strongly recommend that as many members as possible attend one of these sessions in order to ascertain what is proposed and give their views as to whether these latest proposals are an improvement on previous suggestions, which in my opinion showed over-development and excessive building height on the Bull Hill element of the Project.

Scams and Scamming:

This was the title of the talk given by David Stoves at our meeting on 13th May.   He went through a horrifying list of scams and scammers:  those via Social Media, those from “Friendship Groups,” alarmist phone calls like “This is a message from your bank:  we have just received a request to debit your account with the sum of £900.  If this was not you, please let us know immediately!”    In other words, give the caller your Bank Account number etc.  Email scams work in the same way, often having first spun you the most appalling sob story via a letter.  Finally, even the well- known knock on the door to advise you of falling slates from your roof is bound to be extremely suspicious.  David gave me the following places to contact when suspecting a scam:   Citizens Advice Consumer Service – 0808 223 1133, Facebook.com/BucksSurreyTS, and Action Fraud – 0300 123 2040.   There is also a website:  www.bucksandsurreytradingstandards.gov.uk  David’s main message was “Be suspicious and do background searches, or just put the phone down”.

The Hub in North Leatherhead:

Meanwhile, a new group is springing into life in Leatherhead.  It is centred on The Hub in the old school in North Leatherhead.   The Organisers, Eddie McCardle and Bill Donnelly, together with others in their team are in the middle of transforming that old building.  Their aim is a united North and South Leatherhead.  They want to do a lot of renovation work and are also envisaging some new building.   There is already a sewing room with very modern machines for hire at extremely reasonable rates and an art room with plenty of space.   I am sure many of you will have visited or just called in at the café where delicious cakes and sandwiches are available together with light-hearted chat.

The former Trinity Centre:

You may remember this old school, next to the Hub above.   It is in a dreadful state, but the owners (The Diocese of Guildford) have, I understand, been approached by developers with a proposal to build an 80-bed care home on the site which would provide residential and nursing care for elderly residents, including those with dementia.   Frontier Estates is the firm behind this plan, they have produced a leaflet and they are keen to engage with local stakeholders, i.e. local residents.

The Plough Roundabout:

For some time I have been heralding the arrival of planters for the Plough Roundabout.   There are even four sites marked out and a quotation has been received for the work which was to have been paid for by the “Community Infrastructure Levy.” (CIL).  However, at the last minute various complications have arisen and until they are resolved the project is in limbo.

Our Next Meeting:

On 5th August 2024, the date of our next open meeting, PC Ewan Keen and PC Oliver Storey will be coming to speak to us.    If you have any particular questions or problems that you would like them to discuss, I am sure it would help if you first wrote to me about them, and then I could pass them on.    On a more general note, if any of you have an idea about someone you would like to hear speak at one of our meetings, please do tell me so we can discuss it.

Our Accounts:

These have been compiled by our Treasurer and are currently being “examined” by an accounting professional.  They will be presented to our next meeting in August for members’ information.

Planning:

I am informed that an Enforcement Order and fine have been placed on the owners of both the former Building Supplies shop at the top of the High Street and on the landowner of the former chapel on the Reigate Road.   Also, although not to the liking of many members, a new tenant has been secured for 5-19 Church Street, namely McDonalds.  Finally, last week, the owners of Brook Willow Farm, just off Randalls Road, appealed against the non-determination of their application for “established use” in respect of their motorcross track.  Complaints had been raised by people on both sides of the River about the alleged noise.  It is to be likely a few months before we know the result of this Appeal.

Succession:

Finally, I return to the problem of who would like to be at the helm of the L.R.A. when I leave.   This is a very important post, as the LRA is an accredited Consultee to our Council and so has an opportunity to express members’ views on many local issues.  I am hoping to remain until the end of 2025 (i.e. 31st December) by which time the new Local Plan should be in place and the form of the Transform Leatherhead project settled.  However, Surrey is an active area and there is bound to be a never-ending stream of further issues to be examined and commented on.   31st December 2025 might seem a long way off, but, in fact, now would be an ideal time to join us and “test the water.”   Someone who is about to retire from a very busy job or who has already done so and is finding time heavy on their hands would be ideal.   Also, of course, you need to be enthusiastic about Leatherhead!

And now, I would like to remind you about our website.    This has been re-vamped and up-dated and you will see the Minutes of our meetings, the Chairman’s speeches and the list of our Directors among other information.   Search for “Leatherhead Residents Association.” https://www.leatherheadresidents.org.uk/

Meanwhile, I send my best wishes to you all

Caroline (Brown, Chairman)