Small update 25/8/12

After asking a few questions, we have been informed that there will be no change at the start of the new term and that Fran will still be able to use here lollipop! Obviously we don’t have all the details but this is a peculiar situation with little in the way of consultation having taken place.

The county councillors have also been contacted and asked:

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Residents are shocked and concerned for the future safety of their children by a sudden move by Surrey County Council. David Faulkner has been in touch to make everyone aware of just how much upset this will cause.

Fran Hall, long time lollipop lady at the Garibaldi traffic lights junction is be releived of her lollipop and instructed not to venture into the road with the children. David sent us this article –

On our children’s first day at Knaphill School, the lollipop lady asked them their names. We introduced ourselves, too.

“And what’s your name?” we enquired.

“I’m Fran,” she said.

So we were to join the thousands (no exaggeration) of Knaphillians who have been escorted across the Garibaldi junction at school time. We were to learn, like all our predecessors, that Fran would know the names of every child who crossed there, and address them all personally as they did so.

Fran Hall is a Knaphill institution. There are parents who bring their children to school whom Fran escorted and protected when they were children. When someone in the village dies, Fran can recount their children’s names.

So why would the county council now tell her that from September she can no longer use her ‘lollipop’ and only press the button? Even when the green man shows, she will not be allowed to step into the road, because she will not be insured if a car hits her.

I can’t avoid thinking that this is the thin end of the wedge. The traffic lights have been at the junction of the High Street and Chobham Road for sixteen years. When they were put in, Fran’s position was reviewed. She was deemed too valuable to be made redundant.

I can’t see that anything has changed, except the possibility that Fran may be being lined up as the next victim of spending cuts.

What has changed is increased traffic. And what doesn’t change is the number of motorists who jump the red. Just installing an infra-red sensor won’t alter that.

Along with many other parents, I am therefore concerned that the safety of our children is under question if the school crossing patrol is either withdrawn or her powers reduced.

What can we do? Some of us have started a campaign. You can go to two places for the information.

Go to our website, Fran Fans, for campaign details and articles. And join our Facebook page for updates.

Remember: keeping Fran means keeping our children safe.

Questions have immediately been raised as to why this has happened at this time when the traffic lights have been in operation for many years. So what is going on at SCC and why has this happened? As David mentions on the campaign website – contact the councillors and SCC to get the answers and hopefully have the lollipop back in action.

There is an important piece of green belt that separates urban Knaphill from Bisley and a favourite walk for local people. Over the past few weeks the landscape in this part of Knaphill has gone through major change, change that in our opinion has destroyed the pleasing landscape. Although all the land is privately owned it has been enjoyed by generations of families from both Knaphill and Bisley and now their access has been limited and the views destroyed. Iain Wakeford, local historian published a guide entitled ‘KNAPHILL, A SELF-GUIDED HERITAGE WALK’ This walk takes in footpath 11 which joins Chobham Road with Kiln Lane. The following is a quote from Iain’s book:

‘Cross Chobham Road at the junction with Warbury Lane and walk along the lane to the point where it becomes a one-way road. On your left, beside the entrance to Ringstone Farm, is a footpath. Take this path, up the hill, until you see a stile on your right. Cross the stile (or walk around the side, by the tree) and enter the filed. Walk along the side of the field with the hedge on your right, until you reach the bottom corner where you find one of the worst stiles on the walk! It might not look too difficult from this angle, but wait until you try to get down the other side! Continue along the path at the bottom of the field until you reach the gate and stile that takes you into Kiln Lane.’

This section of the walk can also be started at the Priory Hospital where if you walk down the main drive the footpath is on your right at the rear of the main building. The footpath between the Priory Hospital and Warbury Lane had tall hedges either side which met over your head giving the image, in the summer, of walking through a green tunnel. The section from the Priory to the footpath into the field has seen that green tunnel destroyed. On crossing the stile into the first field (behind Ringstone Farm) you can only walk in a straight line along the official footpath. The two fields through which footpath 11 goes have had their hedgerows removed and a number of mature trees felled. The two field have been opened up into one large field and the hedgerows replaced by barbed wire fencing.

We accept that the land is privately owned and was/is agricultural land but surely the owner should have some respect for the landscape and beauty of this part of the green belt brings to the area. There is legislation to protect hedgerows but officials argue that the hedgerows are not of sufficient importance to be protected. One important point argued by Council Officials is that the hedgerow has to have been in place for at least thirty years to be considered as being important. We do know that the tenant sought permission to fence in the public footpath and that this was granted but did he have to remove so much plant life from around the whole site? The whole site being the four fields that go around three sides of The Priory. Footpath 11 comes to an end at Kiln Lane, an historic route for people walking to and from Bisley Church. If you walk down Kin Lane towards Bagshot Road you will find the hedgerow on your left as been replaced by a mound of earth.

Woking Borough Council, especially the Ward Councillors, have shown little interest in the destruction of so many mature tree and yards of hedgerow, this on its own is disappointing. The damage has been done and it is down to Council officials to decide if the landowner has operated within the law or not. What is important is that the trees and hedgerows left are protected especially areas like ‘The Mound’ and Hangmoor Copse.

Councillor Melanie Whitehand has let us know of a streetlight replacement scheme across Surrey. In the email it says –

“Surrey County Council (SCC) are replacing all street lights across the County. 

Street lights in Conservation Areas require further consideration as street furniture contributes to the character and setting.

 

All street lights in Conservation Areas have been reviewed, many are standard lights, but some are Victorian lanterns or swan necked.

SCC have advised that in Conservation Areas around 75% of replacement lights will be in a traditional style (a picture is included in the attachment.)

 

If Skanska who are installing the lights find a street light which is an outstanding specimen, they will contact Geoff McManus.

He will then email the relevant Ward Councillor and the Corporate Management Group for any comments on the replacement street light.

 

The County have advised that the installations will take place in the next 2-3 months.

 

There is more information in the attached report.

 

Please contact me if you would like further information, or Geoff McManus (geoff.mcmanus@woking.gov.uk or 01483 743707.)

 

If it is regarding installation of street lights email Skanska: surreylightingservices@skanska.co.uk

 

The contact at SCC is Paul Smith paul.smith@surreycc.gov.uk or ring 07500 040480.

 

Best wishes

 

Claire Beaumont

Senior Planning Policy Projects Officer

Woking Borough Council

 

Tel:    01483 743267

Web:  www.woking.gov.uk“

The new lights will look something like this in conservation areas

According to BBC News, a man was shot in Oak Tree Road, Knaphill, by police armed response. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-18994167

This is taken from the BBC news site –

A man who was shot by police officers in Woking is being treated in hospital.

According to Surrey Police, an armed unit was sent to Oak Tree Road, in Knaphill, just after 22:00 BST on Wednesday.

This followed reports a man in his 40s was armed and intended to hurt himself and others. He was shot at the scene.

Some nearby residents were evacuated after concerns an explosive device was planted at the address, however a bomb disposal team found nothing.

The man is being treated at St George’s Hospital, in Tooting, south London, though police have not revealed the extent of his injuries.

Another man in his 30s was arrested and remains in custody. Police have said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

Officers reported that a firearm was discovered at the scene but it has not yet been examined.

The incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Updated 24/7/12

Vince from the Cutting Room has been in touch with some extra information on the new salon –

“A new, fresh unisex salon offering professional services, an excellent range of products and customer satisfaction. Dedicated to excellance and hard work whilst providing a creative and enjoyable atmosphere.

We maintain a friendly working environment which respects diversity and all ideas and techniques.
The Cutting Room team is fully qualfied and highly skilled. We are looking forward to cutting, colouring, styling, perming and setting your hair to perfection.
We are excited to be introducing Kevin Murphy products which are forever Sulphate and Paraben free. The products are made from renewable and sustainble resources whenever possible, Using pure essential oil, plant extracts and natural antioxidants. Kevin Murphy are members of PETA the largest animal rights organisation in the world (Cruelty Free) companies.

The staff are highly experienced with a combined 48 years in the industry.  Vince (Director) has 15 years experience in cutting/styling men & womens hair.  With a wealth of knowledge in different techniques.  He has always worked in the Woking area.  Kelly (Style Director) has 25 years experience and has an MCE (master of colour) level.  Karenza has 8 years experience.  She is creative in colour work and cutting/styling hair.  Chantell (Junior Stylist) has just completed her NVQ 2, and is a very keen member of the team, gaining knowledge from our experts daily.

Please call The Cutting Room on 01483 488440 to book an appointment or check out our website for all our promotions www.thecuttingroomknaphill.co.uk“

5/7/12

Well shiver me timbers, it never rains but it pours! We have another new shop opening Knaphill!  Anchor Hill will soon see the opening of The Cutting Room, a hairdressers describing themselves as

A new, Fresh salon offering professional services, An excellent range of products and customer satifation.

The opening week, starting17th July will have a promotional offer of 50% off all services and they recommend you book now! You can contact The Cutting Room on 01483 488440 and http://www.thecuttingroomknaphill.co.uk

Some people may observe the number of hairdressers within the village, I haven’t counted them myself but they are a welcome sight to empty stores. We have raised the issue of saturation with Cllr Melanie Whitehand with regard to takeaways and after a short debate at the Local Council meeting, it have been given permission to be debated at a Full Council meeting later in the year. The motion is ‘To have a saturation level placed on the number of ‘Take-Away’ establishments within a certain radius’, I wonder if people think it should be broadened to ANY type of business in order to prevent excessive numbers of any one type?

With huge thanks to Kat Thompson who acted as ‘official show photographer’ for this year – a reminder for all who attended of this years village show! Again, we thank you so much for making the day

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As quite a number of residents will be aware, Alpha Hospitals have purchased 14 Victoria Road with the intention of changing its use from residential to that suitable to house girls ‘unable to live at home’. Whether this means a secure unit or not is unknown.

James Trotter and numerous others have contacted us with their concerns and we’ve been overtly rather quiet on the subject. Mainly because there are legal considerations and a number of unknowns that will impact the local residents of Victoria Road. We have been in contact with Melanie Whitehand and the council and as per usual, WBC have been resolutely uncommunicative.

James summarised in his letter to us –

The [Alpha Hospitals] company already has a purpose built, state of the art hospital in in Knaphill. The hospital provides an extensive range of psychiatric care for people with mental health conditions and learning difficulties. The specialist forensic mental health services, which are gender specific, include personality disorders, mental illness, rehabilitation, deaf and adolescent enhanced psychiatric intensive care services.

Alpha Hospital’s intention is to use 14 Victoria Road to provide a children’s home for a number of girls that they have told me are currently ‘unable to live at home’ Whilst fully appreciating the need to cater for the integration of their patients into the broader Knaphill community, especially children/ adolescents, I have raised a number of concerns directly with them about this purchase. I am not trying to be a meddling neighbour, but we have three young children and feel our concerns are more than valid. We spent a significant amount of money to come and live in Knaphill 5 years ago to raise a family and did it expect we would be living by a secure mental home in a residential area. I am not expecting the KRA will action anything here necessarily, but my wife and me are perplexed that this purchase was allowed to happen with no consultation at all.

28/6/12

Letters and emails have been flying between the residents of Victoria Road, Alpha and Cllr Whitehand and tempers at how Alpha have approached the project are beginning to fray. We’ve been kindly invited to attend a residential meeting on 6th July between all parties to resolve the huge concerns from residents.

2/7/12

Not wanting to upset the apple cart or more importantly distort facts between residents and Alpha which could easily be contrued wrongly in any future legal action, all residents of Victoria Road have been invited to leave their comments on this page to publicise their plight. To date, letters and emails have been communicated between both parties and Cllr Melanie Whitehand, with the residents deperately wanting assurance and answers and Alpha providing responses which fail to satisfy.

At a meeting that is due on 6th July, the residents will get together with various parties (including councillors, MP Jonathan Lord and ourselves) are invited to discuss this now contentious issue. Alpha have declined the invitation to the meeting but have said they will meet with individuals. The meeting will outline the situation and relate it to current planning regulation; I’m sure there will also be much debate on the lack of communication and openess from both Alpha and WBC prior to work starting and what the next steps shall be. A petition has also been started for residents to show support.

Make no mistake – there is A LOT of anger over this from Victoria Road and the way it has been approached.

8/7/12

The meeting of the 6th appears to have gone well. Lisa & James Trotter and Becky & Lee Cable et al are putting in huge efforts for this cause and Annie Wheeler has kindly provided an update –

We feel it was a good constructive meeting and we were very pleased to have the support of the Chief Executive of Woking Borough Council, Ray Morgan, and Councillors Saj Hussain and Melanie Whitehand and the residents who attended.

Lee Cable started the meeting with a statement from the ‘Action group’, James Trotter then ran through the diary of events including how many times we had contacted Alpha and the questions we had raised with them. Becky Cable then read out a letter from the previous owner of Number 14 which was in effect a signed statement that Alpha Hospitals had told Mrs Willis that they were buying the property for staff accommodation. Becky then read a similar declaration from Townends estate agent, thereby demonstrating that Alpha had not been honest about the purchase of this property right from the start. We then discussed the classification of the property that Alpha are claiming this is (a C3b class which is up to 6 people in a household) which the council have confirmed does not require ‘change of use’, and stated that we refute this claim and consider that this business either comes under property class C2 (residential children’s home), or C4 (between 3 and 6 unrelated people living together in one house). Ray Morgan has said he will get WBC lawyers to look into this.

We were very pleased to have Ray Morgan in attendance and he spoke at some length about his knowledge of other care homes and rehabilitation facilities that were in residential areas, which in his experience did not cause any major problems. There followed some interesting comments from residents, including some from people working with psychiatric patients. The message was very clear. Number 14 is not a suitable venue to house psychiatric patients who have only just left hospital because of the proximity of other residential houses and that Alpha are very mistaken if they think that one over-night manager in the property will be enough to manage five children, especially as these children are free to come and go as they wish. Some of our residents who have working knowledge of similar situations, had some very alarming experiences to share which included “With five children, you can expect between one and three major disruptive events per week” and “How long do you think it will take before the teenage boys in the area work out that there are six young girls living in one house without parental control?”

It’s a clear disappointment Alpha Hospitals refused to attend the meeting which would have gone a fair way to show the residents they’re willing to face the issues raised. Annie also mentioned that the residents on the whole are pleased with having such a constructive and informative meeting and that all the information gathered thus far had been disseminated well.

Ray Morgan has said that he will seek to get Alpha to commit to taking no action to commission the operation at 14 Victoria Road until the Council has been able to determine the planning use of the property, and if it is established as a lawful use and he has been able to establish with them the precise nature of use and a protocol that would secure reasonable operation to avoid local disturbance and to remedy any events should they arise. He will also seek an exit route if possible should the need arise. Mr Morgan is seeking to secure a letter from Alpha to residents to this effect by Friday 13 July and has requested a ‘cooling off period’ of no public activity against this intended use whilst he pursue these matters and the residents will respect this request.

Over the years we have had numerous pieces of feedback regarding the KRA. Thankfully in the main this has been supportive in nature but we understand that opinions vary and in some quarters we are not viewed favourably. We have made a few changes over the past year to help toward communication but we would like your views on how we are performing, what we do well and more importantly where we can improve.

The survey below will help us with that and we hope is a step toward letting you see we do take criticism and comments seriously. The 9 question survey will be open until the end of August when the results will be shown on the website. It is open to all residents of Knaphill village except KRA committee members.

The Knaphill Residents’ Association was set up to help the residents so it’s time to tell us, anonymously if you prefer, if we live up to your expectation.

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