Mary Reid

Well, it's back to normal life and a South of the Borough Neighbourhood meeting next Wednesday (17th) at 7.30pm in Tolworth Girls.

Except we are doing something new this time, by holding a workshop on planning procedures at 6.30pm, before the main meeting begins. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Planning decisions are often the most controversial ones that we councillors have to make. And no planning application has been as controversial for many years as the one submitted by Tesco for the site near Tolworth roundabout. You may remember that a public meeting was called - and Tesco withdrew their application right at the last moment, following a massive campaign.

Tesco's very complex proposal triggered some questions about planning processes in the minds of the Chessington and District Residents Association, which they passed on to me. They were interested in, among other things, what weighting is given to air pollution, noise pollution and potential flooding in arriving at recommendations.   

So I suggested we held an open workshop, when anyone can ask questions of a senior planning officer. The officer won't be discussing specific applications, but can help explain some of the finer points about how applications are handled, what can be considered etc.

So do come along if you'd like to learn more.

After the workshop we will launch into the Neighbourhood meeting proper, when, appropriately, we will be hearing two planning applications. The first is for six flats to be built on 17 Church Lane, Chessington, replacing a bungalow. The other is to replace the large greenhouse at Chessington Nurseries with a timber frame building with grass roof.

Before then, David Smith, Chief Executive of NHS Kingston (the new name for the Primary Care Trust) will be talking about the proposals for Surbiton Hospital and the benefits these could bring to people in our Neighbourhood.

Everyone is welcome to the workshop, or the full meeting, or both.