Here is a list of current issues that the LRA is monitoring, and in several cases taking an active interest in discussion with the relevant parties. LRA members should receive emails when there is anything significant to report.
20mph limit through the village – ongoing issue
The LRA surveyed members in 2020 to see if they wanted a local 20mph limit and the resounding answer was YES. This move may or may not reduce traffic by making the route less desirable but slowing down traffic will perhaps make things slightly more comfortable for pedestrians. Spelthorne and Surrey have supported us with an outline scheme and this will be presented to residents in September 2022. A consultation period will follow and, if all goes well, the scheme will be implemented in 2023.
Zebra Crossing – ongoing issue
A zebra crossing outside Best One and perceived improvements to various roundabouts including those on The Broadway and the top of Littleton Lane were approved as part of Shepperton Studios outline planning permission in 2019. The studios development has since carried on apace with only work on the Littleton Lane roundabout imminent. The panning consent requires the zebra crossing to be in place before the Studios can occupy the new buildings. There is now some concern in the village about the crossing and in particular the impact it could have on Thorobred Cars’ business. The original plans were on the assumption of a 30mph speed limit and Surrey CC are revising these based on a 20mph limit. These should alleviate if not remove the garage’s concerns.
Shepperton Studios – ongoing issue
This refers to the very significant expansion of the studios, that you see on your left when approaching Shepperton from Laleham. The expansion of Shepperton Studios has caused an explosion in local traffic, particularly HGVs. The construction is due to continue through 2023 and after that, a great deal of commuter traffic will replace the trucks as the site is populated. The LRA voted against the expansion, though feelings among members were mixed. The outline planning application used to approve this development was very vague (although over 10,000 pages long!). We are therefore involved in many small battles as the site progresses and substantial changes are made without recourse to residents or our Councillors.
Littleton Lane – ongoing issue
This refers to the industrial estate that you see on your right before crossing the M3, as you head towards the River Thames. In 2017 the LRA began a campaign to enforce a decades old agreement to close and fully restore the mineral extraction site at Littleton Lane to rural land by 21st February 2020.
Although this deadline was ultimately missed, much work has been done, and is ongoing. Neglect over many years by Surrey and Spelthorne councillors and planners means that full restoration can never be achieved. However the number of HGVs emanating from the site has been greatly reduced.
We are currently promised a small, HGV free business park which received planning permission in March 2020. However there is no sign of it ever being built. The rest of the site should be restored to a publicly accessible circular lake walk with links to Laleham Park where new toilets and catering facilities are planned. Although delays and procrastination by Brett Aggregates mean that we have no idea if this will ever happen.
Gravel extraction at Manor Farm – ongoing issue
This relates to the extraction of gravel from an area to the west of Ashford Road. Another gift from Brett Aggregates. Permission was granted in 2016 with an agreed end date of 2033 – although hardly anything has been done for the last 6 years. The first piece of this massive excavation should be the installation of a conveyer belt under the Ashford Road. This would allow extracted soil to be moved to a processing area on Bretts Queen Mary Reservoir site without lorry movements on the public road. This conveyor is always “just about to be installed” and that’s about all we can say about it.
ESSO Southampton to London Pipeline Project – ongoing issue
There is an existing fuel pipeline from Fawley refinery (near Southampton) to Heathrow. It is regarded as “National Critical Infrastructure”. It is coming up to end of life, hence a new pipeline is being constructed. The route runs through Laleham. In particular, it will cross the Shepperton road and run most of the length of the Ashford Road in 2022. This will cause traffic upheaval as the Ashford Road will be one way for some time while the trench is dug. Although this project is yet to hit, there will doubtless be issues of traffic, noise and pollution for local residents.
Proposal by Surrey Fields to build a new café complex in Laleham Park
Surrey Fields is a Community Interest Company that amongst other things is interested in animal welfare. In 2021 they started to speak to various people in the community about the possibility of building a café and facilities on the site of the old Pavilion on Laleham Park. The project seems extremely aspirational and as yet, no funding has been identified. The LRA have stated that, although open for consultation, we will not be actively involved in this project until it is a little more viable.
Possible housing development at Home Farm by TARMAC
This relates to a potential housing development in the area SE of The Broadway and NE of Shepperton Road. This proposal appears to have gone cold for the present.
Proposed 20 meter telecommunication mast by the Lucan Pavilion
A consultation paper was sent to councillors proposing that the current 8 meter mast be replaced by a 20 meter mast. We managed to get hold of the consultation paper. Councillor Whitmore and the LRA have objected to the proposal.
Spelthorne Local Plan
This plan is key to future development within Spelthorne over the next 15 years. In particular it relates to housing development within the borough. The LRA have been involved in numerous meetings and discussions about this issue. We are supporting Spelthorne Council in their current submission, although contentious issues abound including loss of local green belt, the high-rise over-development of Staines and the lack of confirmed infrastructure, (e.g. roads, doctors, schools), to cope with the proposed influx of residents. It appears that changes in central government may deem this entire exercise redundant at any moment…
[This page was last updated in August 2022]