Cala Homes have opened up the first area of the development site. The first house that has been completed will soon open as a Sales Office. There is a visitors car park and a large plan of the houses that will form phase one of the development. If you are interested in what Cala Homes are building take a short walk down the access road to their new Sales Office.
Clifton Court is the name of the block of flats above the Tesco store in Knaphill High Street. The flats are owned by Paragon Community Housing and are on a part buy part rent scheme in association with Woking Borough Council. So the flats come under the general heading ‘affordable housing’. I like the description given by Paragon to the location. An opportunity to be part of a village community in a designated conservation area, nestled in the heart of the Surrey countryside. Paragon also state that to be considered you have either to live in Woking or Work in the borough.
What a fantastic day we had for the 2014 Knaphill Village Show!
So many happy, smiling faces – a real pleasure to see – descended on Mizens Railway in Barrs Lane that we’re still counting the numbers. Saturday 19th proved one thing – community events are just superb and we look forward to putting on many more shows over the years.
A full set off bookings ensured a huge variety in attractions, stalls, food and entertainment and this one could just be the best ever!
But what of that horrible weather forecast stating rain, rain, rain? Not a drop! In fact there were quite a few pink faces going about as the heat was turned up to ‘full’ and the sun came blistering through the clouds. Such a wonderful turn of events for a show that has had mixed weather over the years.
The new music tent proved very popular and the bands got many feet moving about to the tunes throughout the afternoon.
Of course we didn’t have the horticultural event this year which raised a few voices of disappointment; apologies for this but it was unavoidable. Next year it may return.
What did everyone think of this years special guest, Winstan Churchill? I thought he certainly looked that part and the looks on peoples faces seem to have confirmed that he was a great choice for the day.
As always, we would like to hear your feedback on the day so that we can try to introduce your suggestions. All your comments can either be entered below or emailed to ‘stalls@knaphillshow.org‘. This post will also be on the Knaphill Show website at http://www.knaphillshow.org.
For everyone involved it is quite the effort to put on the annual show and the dedication the volunteers put in is admirable in giving freely of their time and efforts for the sole benefit of the Knaphill community. I’d like to say a huge well done and congratulations to the show committee and the day volunteers – you have done a bang up job!
On behalf of the KRA I would like to say thank you to our sponsors, local traders who donated prizes, entertainers, our small army of volunteers who make the show run smoothly, our hosts Mizen’s and last but not least the residents who attended and I hope had a good time. The show is a village show for the people of Knaphill. The KRA do not organise the event to raise money but to put on a show for the residents and their friends and if you want to get involved in the design and planning of the show in 2015 please contact us.
Phil Stubbs
Secretary to Knaphill Residents’ Association
Knaphill Planning Update 14 July 2014
NEW PLANNING DECISIONS
PLAN/2014/0215 Old library, 20 High Street.
Demolish old library and build a 9 residential unit (3 x 2 bedrooms + 6 x 1 bedroom)
The plans are for a block of flats that would come under the heading ‘mixed affordable housing’. This means that there are flat suitable for elderly people and some suitable for families.
Application rejected by Planning Committee.
PLAN/2014/0480 Charlbury, Littlewick Road
Application for the erection of a part two storey and part single storey side extension.
Approved
PLAN/2014/0498 13 Barley Mow Close
Application to demolish garage and erect single storey side extension and first floor rear addition with Juliet balcony.
Approved
PLAN/2014/0510 39 Herbert Crescent
Erection of a part two storey, part single storey rear extension, front porch and fenestration and roof alterations.
Approved
NEW PLANNING APPLICATIONS
PLAN/2014/0609
48 Lower Guildford Road
Erection of a detached 1 bedroom bungalow.
PLAN/2014/0735
17 Beechwood Road
Demolition of existing outbuilding & erection of a single storey rear & side extension.
PLAN/2014/0736
INwoods, Littlewick Road
Erection of extension to existing outbuildings
OUTSTANDING PLANNING APPLICATIONS
PLAN/2013/0856 – Brookwood Farm
Reserved matters application for the access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for the erection of a primary school.
In December Woking Borough Council (WBC) Planning Committee deferred making a decision on the above application. One of the main reasons for deferment was due to the fact that Surrey County Council (SCC) had withdrawn a planning application for a new footpath and bridge connecting the two school buildings (more on this later in this report). There was also concern with regards general access to the school both on foot and for vehicle access. SCC had also failed to give any details on the materials to be used in the construction of the school and the Planning Officer stated in his report that if the materials are not carefully selected it could result in stark form of development within the landscape. Finally Councillors have issues with parking for parents dropping or collecting children.
Note: The developer has added more details to the plans in line with the request from the Planning Committee.
PLAN/2013/0940 16 – 39 Chequer Tree Close
This application from the above residents is to change of use of open amenity land to become residential land by moving fence line.
Pending consideration
PLAN/2013/1114 New Haweli, 22 High Street
Application is to fit black tiles on the front of the take-away.
PLAN/2014/0067 41 Highclere Road
Demolition of existing dwelling and outbuilding and the erection of 3 detached houses with garages.
Note although the address is given as Highclere Road access to the new houses will be in Lane End Drive.
The applicant has submitted two appeals. The first appeal is against the decision to reject an application to build 4 houses. The second appeal is against the fact that a decision had not been taken within the permitted time for the building of 3 houses. The reference numbers of the appeals are APP/A3655/A/14/226057 & APP/A3655/A/14/226070.
PLAN/2014/0081 Land at Brookwood Farm, Coresbrook Way
Application for new footpath and canal bridge to link new junior section of Brookwood Primary School and existing school.
In looking at the detail the footpath appears to have become footpath and cycle way.
PLAN/2014/0421 Ridgeview, Bagshot Road
Application for the erection of a first floor side extension above existing attached garage.
PLAN/2014/0570 26 Staveley Way
Installation of a step lift to front of property to provide wheelchair access.
PLAN/2014/0531 146 Alexandra Gardens
Conversion of garage into habitable accommodation.
OTHER RELATED SUBJECTS
Bisley housing development
SURREY HEATH 2014/0249 17 Queens Road, Bisley
A developer has submitted a planning application to Surrey Heath for the building of 113 dwellings with new access from Snowdrop Way and Chatton Row, Bisley. This is the old site of Bisley Office Furniture.
SURREY HEATH 2014/0262 325 Guildford Road, Bisley
An application has been submitted for the building of 13 three bedroom houses.
SURREY HEATH 2012/0546 Deepcut
The application that has been given outline planning permission is for the building of 1,200 new dwellings. This application includes the conversion of current army property.
Note This report does not attempt to cover all planning issues in Knaphill. If you have any questions or points on the above please feel free to contact the KRA.
Phil Stubbs
14/07/2014
We have been contacted by Bernard Warden, formerly of Knaphill, with a special request. Bernard is looking for former pupils of Knaphill School 1940 – 45 with a view to organising a reunion.
Quite an exciting prospect for them all and Bernard is keen to meet up with old school friends. Specific people were also mentioned so if you know of them (or are them!) please do drop Bernard a line; they are – Gordon Mant, Charlie Chowney, and Patricia Denney (maiden name).
Email contact for Bernard Warden – bernard_warden@o2.co.uk
On the 1st of July the Planning Committee of Woking Borough Council voted 9 for and 2 against the rejection of the planning application to build a 3 storey block of flats on the site of the old library building. The grounds for rejection were that the design of the proposed building was in clear breach of the local development plan, also known as the Core Strategy. It was in beach in that it was out of character with building in the immediate area and given the number of flats proposed there was a strong case of over development. The policy in question is CS 21. The second reason for rejection was the lack of dedicated parking and the lack of access for service vehicles. This was in beach of policy CS 18.
Our Ward Councillors Saj Hussain and Melanie Whitehand both spoke during the debate and Councillor Hussain actually proposed the rejection of the plans. The motion was seconded by Councillor Ian Eastwood. The majority of speakers were against the proposed plan. This was a difficult decision as the flats would be of affordable rent.
A number of Councillors raised issues with regards the memorial garden that was planned for the front of the proposed property. The main argument being that it was too small and was an insult to those it was meant to recognise. The memorial garden is not mentioned in the reason for rejection because, technically, it is not a planning issue.
So where does the Council go from here? New Vision Homes may come back with a revised plan or the Council may suggest an alternative use for the land. What would residents like to see this piece of land being used for? Please feel free to contact us with suggestions.
It was a memorable day on 3rd June for charity leader Theresa Fuoco BEM when she was invited to Buckingham Palace for a special reception and presented to Her Majesty the Queen.
Knaphill resident Theresa Fuoco BEM, 50, vice-chair and swim co-ordinator for Surrey Dolphins Swimobility, was one of thousands selected for the royal garden party but one of just a handful who got to meet HM the Queen. Mrs Fuoco was accompanied by her husband, John, to the event and daughters Rosie and Georgina.
And it was another chance to celebrate for Mrs Fuoco, who lives in Knaphill, after she was awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours List in January. During the exclusive event at the palace, Mrs Fuoco, who runs the club which offers swimming and water therapy to swimmers with physical disabilities, got the chance to discuss the valuable work she does with the Queen.
The assisted swim charity is based at Woking Leisure Centre and offers a real lifeline to adults across Surrey who have the chance to swim and exercise in a safe and friendly environment. Those who volunteer with Mrs Fuoco describe her as an individual who goes above and beyond for the individuals she works with, including visiting unwell members in hospital and is a great advocate on their behalf.
Speaking about meeting HM the Queen, Mrs Fuoco said:
“It was all a bit surreal but the Queen asked lots about the charity.
“She knows Guildford and Woking but she hasn’t been for a while and she talked to my children about their jobs.
“It was really special.”
To celebrate Mrs Fuoco’s success, there will be a Picnic in the Park for members of the charity on Thursday July 3 at Woking’s Pool in the Park.
For more information please contact Pauline Hare by email on pauline.hare@live.co.uk
To find out more about the work of the Surrey Dolphins, visit http://www.surreydolphins.org.uk.
The planning application from New Ideal Homes to demolish the old library site and build a 3 storey block of flats is scheduled for the next meeting of the Planning Committee. The plan is to build a 3 storey block of flats containing 3 x 3 bedroom and 6 x 1 bedroom flats. All flats to be leased as affordable homes.
The Local planning Authority recommend that the application is accepted although in their own words the design fails to meet the Council’s own standard on minimum space between new build and an existing dwelling and fails to meet the standard on dedicated parking, there isn’t any but still recommend acceptance.
What is a disappointment is the land has always been available for community use. In 1945 it was the site of a YMCA youth centre and then in the 1950’s the library took over the site. Once this site has gone it will mean that there is no community owned land in the centre of Knaphill.
The applicant and the Local Planning Authority refer to the building on the old Clifton’s site as a benchmark for the new building, is that good planning.
The Planning Committee meeting is to be held on 1st July and it will be interesting to listen to our Ward Councillors represent the views of local residents. This meeting is open to the public or can be watched on the Councils webcasting site.
Phil Stubbs
myKnaphill 