Hersham Residents Association Blog

Meeting

Watermans Arms Function Room
7:30 Wednesday 1 st February
(arrive in advance for a drink)

Agenda

1. Welcome and introductions
2. Any key matters arising from our 2 nd November meeting (and other previous
   meetings) which need comment / resolution
3. Key matter for discussion – Hersham Green Shopping Centre
    Resume of current situation / and for reference
   summary of relevant items posted on the HRA blog
    What next – Future developments? Future actions?
   [Input from group members / any others who are able to shed any light
   on the current ‘state of play’]
    Views on raising awareness in Hersham?
   Membership / contact list etc
4. Other key planning matters
5. Any other business
6. Date/s of further meetings

In download format http://www.hershamresidents.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Hersham-Residents-Association-Agenda-February-1st-2023.docx

The HRA has written to Elmbridge suggesting that the densities for accommodation at Hersham Green in the draft Local Plan are unreasonable and were not subject to proper consultation, and therefore should be urgently reviewed. The letter which can be accessed here http://www.hershamresidents.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Hersham-Green-HRA-letter-to-EBC-14-01-23.docx sets out reasons why we strongly feel that this must be addressed.

Last week the HRA officially presented a cheque for £1,400.70p to the Hersham and Walton Foodbank.

The money was raised from a Christmas raffle for a food hamper donated by Waitrose. The HRA sold raffle tickets to Christmas shoppers in Hersham Green Shopping Centre. See link below for a picture of the presentation of the cheque:-

http://www.hershamresidents.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Food-Bank-Donation-1.jpg

We would like to thank everyone who bought raffle tickets for their generosity.

The HRA has received a reply from the developers acknowledging our submission and concerns – and saying that they will be pleased to engage with the community and our association in the new year. The HRA will keep our members updated as and when there is any further news.

Our response to the developers can be accessed here for information http://www.hershamresidents.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/HGS-Centre-Comments-12-11-22-to-developers.docx
If you have not already expressed your views / put forward any queries you may have – the suggested emails to use to contact the developer are as follows: consultation@cascadecommunications.co.uk and, you might also want to copy to Mark Phillipson who is the co-founder of quadrant repurposed – his email address is: mphillipson@quadrantrepurpose.com

The flip charts from the above meeting which summarise the main points raised by the 70 + people who attended can be accessed here: http://www.hershamresidents.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Flip-CHart-from-04-10-22-Hersham-Residents-Association.pdf

The flipcharts include a summary of the current situation, and concerns raised in the following areas: –

• infrastructure
• parking
• access
• retail issues
• blight during development
• design/size issues
• overdevelopment not being in keeping with Hersham Village.

Thank you to all those who attended the public meeting on 4/10/22 at the Waterman’s Arms about the proposed demolition and development of Hersham Green Shopping Centre.

It was suggested that any residents with strong feelings about this issue should make their views known to the developers now – rather than waiting for a formal outline planning application early next year. See below for options available:

By email: Several email addresses were suggested: –
The main email suggested for feedback on the back of the leaflet /website is: consultation@cascadecommunications.co.uk However, you might also want to copy to Mark Phillipson who is the co-founder of quadrant repurposed – his email address is: mphillipson@quadrantrepurpose.com

Developers survey: on the developers website (top right from the following link): https://communitystream.co.uk/en/projects/hersham-green-shopping-centre

Petition: Please note an online petition has also been established which you can access and sign here: –https://www.change.org/p/hersham-village-doesn-t-need-200-plus-extra-homes

Please forward this information to your friends and neighbours.

By the way – if you missed the developers proposals – full details are available on the Quadrant Repurpose website at: https://communitystream.co.uk/en/projects/hersham-green-shopping-centreTheir phone number is (Phone: 020 7871 3565).

Join the HRA: If this proposed development has made you feel would like to join Hersham Residents Association to add to our numbers and help maintain a strong community voice in Hersham – it is just £10 a year – please email info@hershamresidents.info and we can forward details of future meetings when you could join or alternative joining options / our bank details etc.

You will have probably seen the leaflet from ‘Quadrant Repurpose’ about their initial proposals for Hersham Green Shopping Centre and the public consultation, however for reference there several drop in events they are running in the (former) Martins newsagents premises in the H Green centre on:- 

• Thursday 29th from 3:00pm – 7:00 pm 
• and on Saturday 1st Oct from 10:00 am – 2:00pm 

There will also be an on-line presentation on Monday 3rd October from 6:00pm – 7:00pm – full details of these and the developer’s initial proposals are available on the Quadrant Repurpose website is in the leaflet and on their website at: https://communitystream.co.uk/en/projects/hersham-green-shopping-centre

We would encourage all Hersham Residents to go to one of these events and then also come to an HRA open meeting at the Watermans Arms on Tuesday the 4th of October from 7:30pm.

This meeting will allow us all to exchange views about the proposals presented and to gauge the level of  support / opposition and identity any particular concerns which local organisations including the HRA can raise with the developers and the council at this stage with a view to influencing the proposals for the benefit of Hersham and its residents.

Please note this is an open public meeting so all are welcome whether or not you are a member of our association.

The HRA responded to Elmbridge local plan consultation in July 2022 – a copy of our response can be downloaded here: http://www.hershamresidents.info/blog/?attachment_id=1702

The response was critical of various sites identified by the plan for residential use in Hersham, particularly where the sites currently perform a useful community function. See the response for details.

The HRA will be following further developments in relation to the local plan and will be posting details here when more information is available especially as it relates to Hersham.

In the meantime the HRA would like to thank all those you helped inform the development of our response during a series of meetings and discussions.

HRA discuss the local plan at the next meeting on Thursday 21st July at the Waterman Arms function room at 7:30

If you are not already aware, the local plan once agreed and finalised by the council, will become a very influential ‘blueprint guide’ for future development in Hersham for the next 15 years – hence the need for local organisations to look at it carefully and submit agreed comments.

The discussion on the 21st will be important in finalising our response
– so, look forward to seeing you for rehydration and discussions at the Watermans on Thursday if you can make it. All are very welcome to this meeting whether you are a member of the HRA – and whether or not you have experience of local planning matters.

If you are not familiar with these issues BUT are concerned about Hersham and its future development – you should come to this meeting!