Lavender grown elsewhere in Carshalton

The Focus Team reports: “Local residents are invited to join in the planned lavender planting event in Benhill Recreation Ground on Saturday 21st April 2012 at 10am. Do bring a trowel and help us create yet another lavender bed near Lavender Road (northern end of Benhill Rec.)”

Shorts Road Railway Bridge

Jill, Alan and Hamish have received the following Road Closure Notice affecting Shorts Road at the railway bridge.

“Sutton Council hereby gives notice of an Order to facilitate works on the railway bridge in Shorts Road, which will involve the use of scaffolding. The Order will come into effect on Monday 2nd April 2012 with the works expected to take two weeks to complete. However, the Order will remain in force for 18 months to be re-introduced should further works be required.  The Order will temporarily close Shorts Road, between its junctions with Alma Road and Colston Avenue to all classes of vehicular traffic at all times.  Whilst the Order is in force, an alternative route for through vehicular traffic will be suitably signed. Vehicular and pedestrian access to premises adjacent to the prohibited length of Shorts Road will be maintained insofar as access is reasonably practicable without interference with the said works.  Pedestrian access to the footpath running between Shorts Road and West Street (public right of way No. 67) will be maintained.”

Car Showroom, Beynon Road

Following concerns raised by local residents, the Focus Team asked the Council’s licensing officers to investigate the alleged “goings-on” at the car showroom in Beynon Road, which has recently changed hands. On Friday, 9th March 2012, a Council Enforcement Officer attended the premises and spoke to the new operator as two vehicles were being advertised for sale on the street.

The showroom operator was advised of the street trading legislation and was made to remove all the for sale signs from the vehicles. He now has the option to apply for a street trading licence and if he does the ward councillors will be consulted.  The enforcement officer have been asked to keep an eye on the premises when they are in the area but residents are asked to please feel free to get in touch with local councillors if they feel any problems arise again.

The Carshalton WW1 Memorial

Hamish’s letter to the Sutton Guardian was published last Thursday, 8th March 2012:-

“I’d like to respond to the article about the plans to remember the fallen men and women of Carshalton (Plan for Carshalton war memorial discarded ‘due to cost’). It’s true that the Carshalton and Clockhouse Committee had set aside £35,000 for a memorial for those lost in World War II. In recent weeks, we’ve been in discussion with the Royal British Legion, but these plans have changed significantly as a result. With the rise in metal thefts, including that of 14 brass plaques from the World War I memorial, it would be unwise to use metal (that was originally planned) in any new memorial. Unfortunately a stone memorial would be significantly more expensive than the original budget. Recent research by a local historian, Andrew Arnold, also uncovered another 250 or so names of fallen servicemen, which means the memorial would have to be double the size of the original proposal. Estimates put the cost of a stone memorial of this size and quality at around £80,000, and this is money we simply don’t have at present. Of course, if residents and organisations were to come forward with substantial donations we’d be delighted to look again at the proposals, but in the mean time we’ve been working with the Royal British Legion on some exciting new plans which we feel will allow our community to pay their respects appropriately. Subject to the approval of the local committee and other detailed work, we hope to add a tribute to the existing memorial, by Carshalton Ponds, and we plan to create a new book of remembrance to include all the names of the fallen, to be displayed in the new Carshalton Library, in the Westcroft Centre. We’re also going to set up a new adaptable website, which will contain photographs, biographies and relative’s memories of those who died in service, and will therefore contain far more information than a new memorial.

Cllr Hamish Pollock, Chairman of the Carshalton and Clockhouse Committee

We have received this response from Transport for London following our recent requests to have seating accommodation provided to bus stops in Carshalton Road and Ringstead Road. The letter is reproduced below:-

Dear Cllr Pollock

Thank you for your email regarding the seating accommodation at bus stops in Carshalton.

Having investigated, I must advise you that a shelter cannot be placed at Carshalton Road Bus Stop, as it could cause sightline issues with emerging traffic from Weihurst Gardens. As you can appreciate, this is something we wish to avoid.

I can inform you that providing a shelter for Ringstead Road Bus Stop may be more feasible, and we are keen to provide a safe waiting environment for our passengers. However, with the current restrictions on expenditure we are not able to meet the request at this time. Nevertheless, we shall review this site once funds become available.

I am sorry I could not provide a more favourable response on this occasion. I do appreciate the comments, and the points that have been raised, but I do hope you will appreciate our position in this matter.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to contact us. Should you require any further assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to contact me again.

Yours sincerely

Felicity O’Keeffe

Customer Service Advisor

Now residents are starting to plan celebrations for this summer’s events, with six applications to hold street parties already registered.

Sutton Council has also announced that it is slashing red tape to make it easier for residents to break out the bunting and celebrate with neighbours.

It is waiving road closure and application fees, which usually cost £25, while organisers of events can also apply for a £50 voucher to help pay for refreshments.

Cllr. Ruth Dombey, Deputy Leader of Sutton Council, said: “Last year saw neighbours come together for some really lovely events that will be remembered for years to come. With two big occasions within 100 days, this year is even more special and we want the borough to beat last year’s record.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for residents to hold street parties, so we’ve slashed red tape and can provide vouchers to help pay for refreshments. The Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee are the perfect opportunity to bring communities together, meet your neighbours and make new friends, so I’d urge everyone to think about taking their celebrations to the streets.”

To hold a street party over the Diamond Jubilee weekend, Saturday 2 June to Tuesday 5 June, road closure applications need to be made to the council by Friday 4 May. The deadline to apply for a £50 voucher is 15 March.

To apply, fill out the one page form at www.sutton.gov.uk/summerfestival and email it to trafficpostbook@sutton.gov.uk. The form to apply for the voucher can also be found there.

A Sutton Street Party from times past

Sutton is on track to be crowned London’s street party capital as patriotic and enthusiastic residents line up to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics.

Sutton Council

Sutton’s Council Tax has been frozen for the third year running. On Monday, 5th March 2012 at a meeting of the Full Council the council’s budget for 2012/13 was agreed. 

There was for the first time, seemingly, unanimous support for the budget from both the Lib Dem councillors and the opposition councillors.

10-16 North Street, Carshalton

Sutton Council has received a planning application for:- Conversion of premises into four 3 – bedroomed terraced houses involving alterations to elevations including four bay windows at front and solar panels at rear together with refuse facilities and four car parking spaces.

The site is within the Carshalton Village Conservation Area and is between the junctions of North Street with Rochester Road to the north and Mill Lane to the south.

Details can be found by clicking on: http://213.122.180.105/FASTWEB/detail.asp?AltRef=C2012/65555

Tom Brake MP, Caroline Pidgeon AM and Hamish, Jill and Alan by the Pond Railings before the major TFL works started recently

Dear Stakeholder,

A232 Pound Street/High Street, Carshalton Railing replacement works.

I am writing to update you on the progress made on replacing the old heritage-style posts and railings around the ponds and to provide an update on the carriageway resurfacing of the A232 Pound Street and part of Carshalton Road.

Railing Replacement Works

As you may have seen, the new posts and railings are now being installed following the preparation of the brickwork and installation of the concrete foundation around the ponds.   The new posts are designed to shear at the base upon impact allowing for damaged sections to be replaced with less disruption and to minimise any further damage to the wall surrounding the ponds. Unfortunately, due to a number of factors, the expected completion of the works has now slipped back to Sunday 11 March 2012.  This delay was partly due to the cold weather experienced at the beginning of February but has also resulted from additional works not anticipated during the design process. I would like to apologise for the additional inconvenience and disruption that this delay will cause.

Carriageway Works

The A232 Pound Street and Carshalton Road are to be resurfaced between the junctions of North Street and Alma Road.  The works will be undertaken over nine weeknights with sections of road closures and are due to start on the night of Monday 12 March through to Friday 23 March 2012. 

We are also sending this information directly to residents and businesses affected by the works.

Should you require any further information or an update during the delivery of these works please contact our Streets Customer Services department on 0845 305 1234 or via our website at www.tfl.gov.uk/contact.

Yours faithfully,

Mario Constantinou

Consultation Delivery Officer

The land, at the north end of Sutton High Street, is currently home to some gas holders and 1960s office blocks. But under exciting new proposals, a large retail centre, a 120-bed hotel, green open spaces and more than 100 new homes could get the go-ahead, in what would be one of the biggest new developments in Sutton for decades.

Developers are currently discussing the proposals with Sutton Council, and will soon extend those talks to local residents before they prepare a formal planning application later this year.

The six acre site is largely “dead space”, made up of 1960s office blocks which are part-let on short-term leases, an empty warehouse and gas holders. If the proposals get the green light the site would be completely redeveloped, with a new supermarket and other shops and restaurants, residential accommodation, a new green public square, improved roads around the town centre and better pedestrian access.

Cllr. Jayne McCoy, Executive Member for Planning, Economic Development and Housing at Sutton Council, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to transform what has become an eyesore into a well-used, attractive space that will be a real boost to our local economy. It is really encouraging to see a considerable amount of private sector money being invested in Sutton.

“The initial discussions we’ve had with the developer have been positive; we’re impressed with their ambitions for the site and we have been giving them some steer as to the high standards local people want and expect. We’ll be demanding first class design that’s well thought out to provide new facilities for our residents and will also encourage even more businesses to invest in Sutton.”  Jill, Alan and Hamish agree!

A draft planning brief is now being prepared ahead of a nine-week public consultation, expected to begin in May.