myKnaphill

UPDATE (29th January 2019): Unfortunately, we have been unsuccessful in our request for SCC to install a zebra crossing as part of these road changes. It seems that once the changes are made we will then need to decide how significant an error it was, and we can then apply for changes through the SCC and WBC Joint Committee. Extra time, money and paperwork for a project that has already been going on for years. Well done SCC!

UPDATE (23rd January 2019): Cllrs Harlow and Whitehand and the KRA are pushing for inclusion of a zebra crossing in these plans, and so far these requests are being met with resistance on the part of SCC. It seems they would rather see a demonstrable need for the crossing first before spending the money (ie. let’s let someone get knocked down before we address the issue, rather than do something to prevent that from happening in the first place!). We will keep you updated as we know more. In the meantime, the contact details to get in touch with SCC on this matter are below.

Surrey County Council and Woking Borough Council have published detailed plans for changes to the Vyne car park and the roundabout on Redding Way, at the junction with Broadway, next to the Vyne community centre. The plans for the SCC changes to the roads can be viewed at the Knaphill library and the residents have until the end of January to comment. Comments should be directed to:

Jason Russell, Executive Director of Highways, Transport & Environment, Traffic Regulation Orders Team, Surrey County Council, Hazel House, Merrow Lane, Guildford, Surrey, GU4 7BQ, or 0300 200 1003

The first task is for WBC to make changes to the Vyne car park and this should commence in February this year. The work will include closure of the existing car park entrance in Redding Way (we assume this means the entrance on Broadway), and the merger of the two separate sections of the car park, rearrangement of the parking bays as well as the introduction of speed humps and signage. This will require the car park to be renamed Alexandra Gardens Car Park as the only vehicular entrance and exit will be via Alexandra gardens. Pedestrian access will be maintained from the car park to the Vyne Centre.

The second phase is work to be carried out by Surrey County Council, basically to remove the old bollards and open the road up for all traffic. There will be a weight limit on vehicles of 7.5  tonnes. Some land currently included in the grounds of the Vyne will be used to widened the entrance to the roundabout so that buses can enter the roundabout without crossing the opposite lane. SCC will also fit a road table which will extend across the full width of the road where the Broadway meets the roundabout.

The KRA have responded to Cllr Melanie Whitehand to say that we are in favour of these plans on proviso that a pedestrian crossing is added between the Vyne car park and the Vyne centre, as we believe this is absolutely essential. The plans state that there will be a pedestrian entrance to the car park but there is a need for a pedestrian crossing given the age and mobility of many of those who use the Vyne.

A roundup of some of the latest planning activities in our village:

• The Anchor pub was scheduled to close on 24 November but the new owners have informed the management team currently running the pub that they can continue with the pub for a further six months.
• Stef’s (next to the library) in the the process of changing owners.
• The planning application for the changes to Homebase has now been published, PLAN/2018/0973. It reads Extension and sub-division of existing A1 retail store and garden centre to provide 3 retail units with mezzanine floors and minor alterations to car park to provide 7 additional spaces.
• Robin Hood pub is closed and according to local newspapers the site has been bought. The first planning application for the site has been published PLAN/2018/0974 and it states that the new owners are seeking permission to erect a 2.4 m high hoarding around perimeter of site.
• Earlier in the year there was a planning application to build a two storey detached house on land to the south of Ivydene, PLAN/2018/0736. There was strong local opposition, the planning application has been refused.
• There was a planning application (PLAN/2017/1309) to build 4 x 3 bed terraced houses to the rear of the Co-op, last year, it was rejected, then appealed, and the appeal has now also been rejected by the Planning Inspector as well.

For more details on these take a look around our website, and visit the WBC planning portal here.

***UPDATE***

Further to the below article, the KRA are thrilled to say that the Planning Inspector dismissed the appeal by the Thamesway agents and stated in summary “For the reasons given, and having regard to all other matters raised, including by local residents and other third parties, the appeal is dismissed.” A small victory for Knaphill environment and anyone who believes that housing should be a fair size and with reasonable parking.

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Binkot, Englefield Road, Knaphill GU21 2EB: This is the land behind the Co-op and opposite the entrance to the car park. (Binkot is the name of a bungalow that stood on this site many years) In 2017 Thamesway Developments submitted a planning application build 4 three bedroom houses on the site. Planning permission was refused by the Planning Officer using his delegated authority, this meant that the planning application did not go before the Planning Committee and therefore local Councillors did not offer an opinion. The decision was taken on 12 March 2018, with the following excerpt:

The scale of the proposed dwellings, the proposed plot layout and restricted internal floor area, the Unduly cramped and contrived form of development and uncharacteristically small and irregularly shaped plot sizes which would fail to provide acceptable residential amenity for potential future occupants of the development. Furthermore, the proposed dwellings by reason of their overall height, mass, form, appearance and resultant relationship with Englefield Road would visually dominate the area and fail to relate well to surrounding buildings in the sites context.

There was also an issue with the inadequate off-street parking being provided.

We have now heard that Thamesway have appealed and a Planning Inspector will now decide. Thamesway have submitted a 32 page report outlining why they disagree with the decision of the planners at WBC.

An excerpt from the Thamesway Agents appeal:

The commercial unit in question would appear to be a small local Co op which is likely to receive a few deliveries from a central depot. Given the Co-op’s loading bay’s location it is unlikely that deliveries are received into this yard rather an early morning delivery is taken from the High Street through the shop and the yard is used for storage of empty cases. 

Whilst car ownership is predicted to be relatively low, evidence on the form, of parking surveys has demonstrated that more than adequate parking is available in the local area to cater for any demand for parking for residents.

It also makes several references to the excellent public transport options available to Knaphill residents.   

Thamesway Development is wholly owned by Woking Borough Council and 3 of the 4 directors of Thamesway  are either senior officers at WBC or a Conservative councillor.

The KRA have written a letter of objection to this proposal.

The reference for this application is PLAN/2017/1309. The appeal reference is APP/A3655/W/18/3202232 to take a look at the plans and to state your opinion, click here for the WBC Planning Portal.