RBK CORE STRATEGY - RESPONSES

SURBITON RIVER THAMES FILTER BEDS

The Inspector at the Core Strategy hearings ordered planning officders to remove development policies  "if you dont you know I will"  from the Seething Wells Filter Beds.  The published amendments comply with the Inspector's instructions.  It just goes to show that trying to circumvent PPS25 on sequential planning on housing and flood planes........via the CS really isnt something Inspectors have got a lot of time for. The future of the site is now something which local communities can embrace as a unique local site for nature conservation with recreational activities that are in empathy with nature conservation.   If you need an urgent response form on the amendments please email pennyb@phonecoop.coop

or if this is not working pennybee@virginmedia.com (email ends this year)

If you would like further info please contact penny with queries.

Hydro Properties have now registered their planning application which is of course against the post hearing Core Strategy it is really important that people write in and object to the planning application

HOGSMILL VALLEY KEY AREA OF CHANGE

Various policies were opposed with South Hogsmill Valley Residents Association, Spring Grove Residents Association, Surbiton Birdwatchers Society,. Alison Fure and Kingston Friends of the Earth all speaking at the hearings.  Documentation circulated by the Inspector;s programme officer prior to the hearing indicated frustrations by Thames Water in dealing with RBK officers and obstruction in relation to the South London Waste Plan.  This issue has been taken up with MP;s and Edward Davey has forwarded documentation to the Head of Environment at RBK...we await response.  At the hearings the question of sewage infrastructure which was an issue raised in submissions by South Hogsmill Valley RA, was placed on the Agenda by the Inspector.   When questions were asked of RBK officers by Kingston FOE regarding the TW comments the reply we received was simply "we have a good working relationship with TW".......Kingston FOE is proud to have managed to get DEFRA's Action Plan on Anaerobic Digestion into the evidence base at the hearing and work will continue with the local community regarding what happens on TW land and the low carbon renewable energy plants which should be supported and which energy from waste combined heat and power plants  opposed ....we will never support the burning of plastics in this area as others have done............a few days later the Chief Executive wrote to the Chief Executive of RBK...........TW was not at the hearing to avoid public disagreement.............however Thames Water's entire landholdings at the Sewage Treatment Works in Hogsmill Valley are under the Town and Country Planning Act, "operational" they therefore cannot be converted into Student Housing................   Presenters have till 23rd September 2011 to submitt comments to the Inspector regarding the TW letter.... the Hearings have now closed.    We await the Inspectors findings and have emailed final submissions on the new situation and implications for the Hogsmill Valley Key Area of Change.   We expect the findings by the end of the year.