The Chertsey Society is an amenity society with no political or religious affiliations that acts as a voice to represent views on local issues.
WINTER MEETINGS
An opportunity to meet members, catch up with the latest news and enjoy a presentation.
29th January 2024
Town Forum
As usual we will be covering local topics that concern all of us. We have invited the MP, Dr. Ben Spencer and hope he will be attending, Commons voting permitting. There will also be local Councillors and representatives form RBC. The topics we intend to cover include the progress on the A320 upgrade and the effects of the expansion of Shepperton Studios. Infrastructure is a major problem, exacerbated by the number of office buildings being extended and converted to residential use. The extra housing is vital, but we need to be able to support the extra population. Flooding issues will no doubt also be discussed. (See article below.) Also, there is the prospect of there being some funding to improve Chertsey. We must make sure that this is done, and done well!
26th February 2024
Museum Visit
With Emma Warren:an update on current projects and future plans
25th March 2024
Members and friends social evening and AGM
A chance to chat to other members
There will be a quiz about Chertsey and the opportunity to select some photographs to take home
29th April 2024
How good are our Green credentials?
An evening covering topics such as recycling and other eco-measures. What should we be doing? What is worth doing?
All the meetings, except February, are in St. Peter's Church Hall at 7.45pm.
Members suggested donation £1; guests welcome: suggested donation £2. Do come and join us.
Runnymede Borough Council has a service that allows you to receive weekly email notifications about new planning applications within a specified area of a chosen postcode. You simply click on the entry to see the application on your screen.
You can register at:
https://maps.runnymede.gov.uk/website/planning_alerts/index.html
Most simple applications can be decided by Council Officers. If an application is complex or there are objections from at least 10 households then the application will be referred to the Planning Committee
Planning Applications : Office - Residential Conversions & New Dwelling in Chertsey 2017 -2021
The Committee of The Chertsey Societyhave examined well over 100 planning applications during the last two years and have submitted views on the majority of the major developments as well as some of the smaller developments. The Societyhave advocated the conversion of disused offices for many years, however for many of the recent applications the design of the flats are very small to maximise the number of units in a building ( and profits) with disregard to the inclusion of community space. Some might say that slums for the future are being constructed. In addition, for most applications the provision for parking of cars is minimal or non-existent thus we have been Objecting to many of the more recent applications. Over the last 3 to 4 years there have been applications for approximately 1600 new dwellings in the Chertsey area including nearly 600 flats in offices in the town. See the Chertsey Society website for a compiled list of the applications or https://planning.runnymede.gov.uk/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/GeneralSearch.aspx for more details.
Like many Borough residents we are concerned that such an increase in residential development without the commensurate investment in community infrastructure will be detrimental to the quality of life of existing residents. Residents are concerned about the lack of a) school places, b) Doctors and Health Centre provision, c) water and sewage treatment facilities. In addition there will be significant increase in traffic congestion and insufficient off-road parking associated with the developmentsm.
