Wildlife Circus

  It’s that time of year when SW is reported on and council meetings and the SWAG AGM approaches. The agenda for tomorrow’s Surbiton Neighbourhood Meeting is out and it is possible to read the actions undertaken as part of the councils commitment to the SW working group. Sad that Heritage England have declined to list the Pumping Station and railings. In relation to the River Thames Scheme the officers report is as follows (verbatim council agenda): Recommendation (g):  After the dissolution of the Councillor Working Group  following these recommendations to the Place Committee, in accordance with the  resolution of the Council Meeting of 27 January 2022, the Council will seek proactive dialogue with the landowners to enhance the management and  maintenance of the site, with the support of community groups and residents. Update :   The landowners most recent engagement with the Council comprises a  letter to the Leader of the Council in August 2025 inv...

                                                                  One of two ponds Chessington G.C. 2018 A planning application has been lodged to develop the former Chessington Golf Club site with 256 units between 2.5 and 4 stories high on 11.6 Ha of land. Objections need to be lodged before 9.2.26. Paragraph 2.1 of the Design and Access Statement, describes the site as a “poorly performing Green Belt site” , on the basis that it is enclosed on three sides by development. Enclosure by development does not , in itself, indicate poor Green Belt performance. Under the NPPF (2024), the assessment turns on how land performs against the five Green Belt purposes , particularly openness, prevention of sprawl, and safeguarding the countryside from encroachment. Sites at settlement edges commonly perform these functions pr...