There are a number of planning issues concerning the activities of the nursery that the LDRA are taking an interest in. Gingko Garden Centre and Scotscape either have to submit a planning application or cease the activity that contravenes planning regulations. SCC is monitoring the situation.
Admin
Coopers
The application for a two-storey car park has been approved, but with a number of conditions including the provision of some staff parking. The other outstanding application, for changing the front of the Mini building, is still awaiting a decision.
St James’ proposed new development of 24 houses on the amenity site off Windmill Lane
There has been considerable discussion at LDRA committee meetings about the proposals for this site. A group of residents asked St James Homes for access to the site but were refused and 8-foot boards were erected across the entrance. LDRA objects to the development as it threatens green space. A resident was nominated to speak in opposition to the plans at the Elmbridge Planning Sub-committee on 6 September; the application was refused.
Victoria Recreation Ground
Elmbridge Councillor Shweta Kapadia held productive discussions with Kingston council and the gates are now open.
The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning At The Ditton
The Event: The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning At The Ditton (MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT) & Staff Sponsored challenge. Coffee & Cakes served from 9am-5pm. Friday 24th Sept.
Venue: The Ditton Pub & Restaurant. 64 Ditton Hill Road, Long Ditton, KT6 5JD. For More Details call Sharon on 0208 339 0785. WWW.THEDITTON.CO.UK
St James’ Homes application for 24 more houses in Windmill Lane
This application has qualified for public speaking and no doubt those that have written in will receive letters advising them how they can register to speak at the DC -East Area planning sub-committee. This will be on 6th September at 7.45pm at the Civic Centre, Esher. We hope as many Long Ditton residents as possible will have a chance to attend this meeting. You may attend, regardless of whether or not you have written in. There was a poor turnout at the first application.
If anyone is offering to do a 3 minute speech outlining objections on behalf of the LDRA it would help us greatly. Please advise mark.herbert@longditton.org as soon as possible. He has a leaflet on the procedure. There will be no questions after the speech. St James residents will be putting a speaker forward. The registration line opens from 9am Mon 30th Aug and closes midnight Tues 31st Aug due to the bank holiday.
Councillor Shweta Kapadia has asked for a site visit, which will take place on the Thursday 2nd September. It will be sometime in the morning, possibly at 9.15 but the time will depend on other visits arranged that morning. Please contact skapadia@elmbridge.gov.uk if you require any further information.
PC Andy Grapsas moves on
We are sorry to learn that our local policeman, PC Andy Grapsas, is moving away from Long Ditton and taking up a new role. We congratulate him on his promotion! He writes:
Dear resident, colleague, and friend,
It is with a heavy heart that I write this message to inform you of my impending departure as Neighbourhood Officer for the Dittons and Hinchley Wood where I have spent the last six years and furthermore had the most enjoyable time of my career to date. I feel proud and priviledged to have served a community that I have such an affinity for, covering the area in which I grew up, went to school and still have strong family ties; and this is truly an emotional departure for me.
I am leaving – on promotion to the rank of sergeant – to join Woking Neighbourhood Team, as it is a mandatory requirement for officers who achieve promotion to move to a new area with new staff and fresh challenges. I have always been extremely happy in my current role and it is fair to say that it is solely personal circumstances and the desire to maximise my ability to provide for my infant son that has led me to consider promotion and a subsequent move away from an area I regard as home.
The promotion process is a long one over the course of two years, and I was informed in August that I had been ultimately successful and was given a start date in my new capacity of Sunday 12th September. During the next few weeks Borough Inspector Richard Haycock and Sergeant Greg Turner will be interviewing candidates for the Dittons role, and I know that they are keen to recruit ‘Surrey’s finest’ for the position. I am aware that there are already a couple of strong candidates who I thoroughly endorse and believe will make excellent Neighbourhood Officers. Rest assured we are committed to finding a strong replacement to provide the Dittons community with the high standard of service it deserves.
I leave behind an excellent team who I know will continue to work hard to help make the Dittons a safe and pleasant place to be. Indeed I would like to take this opportunity to thank PCSO’s Richard and Nigel for their considerable contribution to the Dittons during my time here and indeed Laura and Carl before them. You really do have a fine team covering your area and I am certain that the Dittons will continue to flourish in the coming years.
I would also like to thank the residents, councillors and partners who have supported and assisted me over the years and truly made coming to work an absolute pleasure. I will sincerely miss you all.
Many, many thanks.
Andy
PC 3421 Andy Grapsas
Neighbourhood Officer for The Dittons and Hinchley Wood
Surrey Police
0845 125 2222 Ext. 31012
07967 988 177
www.surrey.police.uk
War Memorial – Request for help
I am a WW1 researcher and battlefield guide and will shortly be researching The Long Ditton War Memorial for the ‘roll of honour’ for Surrey.
To save me a long drive (I live in Littlehampton) would it be possible for one of your members to take some detailed photos of the memorial?
Also, if any of residents have relatives on the memorial they are more than welcome to contact me on this address or my research address below.
Kind regards
Nick Ward
Windmill Lane Photo Shoot
The Surrey Advertiser are writing an article about the vacant land on Windmill Lane where the developers are at odds with residents. They are arranging a photo shoot and wish to photograph residents near the land. They are planning to do this on Tuesday 3rd August at 6.30pm next week. Please attend if possible.
PLEASE NOTE: The photo shoot is event is not yet confirmed. Please contact one of the LDRA Committee for the latest information.
Appointment of Group Scout Leader for The Dittons’ Scout Group
From Neville Biden (Group Chairman)
I am pleased to announce that the District Commissioner, Peter Hanna, has appointed Laura Clarke to be the new Group Scout Leader of the Dittons’ Scout Group.
Laura will be known to some of you and will soon become known to everybody.
We look forward to the future and Laura’s leadership of the group in hope and anticipation, knowing that she will receive the support she will need to fulfil this exacting role.
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