WWF HQ to be built on Brewery Road Car Park

Woking's planning committee has given permission for WWF to build a new headquarters on Brewery Road car park.

The headquarters will be built on stilts above the car park and will be two storeys high.  This will be much the tallest building on the Horsell side of the canal, more than 2 meteres higher than the Kingswood Court flats and 5 metres higher than the neighbouring houses.  It will be the first "commercial" development to cross the canal barrier from the town centre.

Car parking will be retained under the building but the number of parking spaces will be reduced to 165, a loss of 42 spaces.  The number of disabled spaces available to the public will be reduced by 2 spaces.

As a local councillor who lives in close proximity to the site I am judged to have a "prejudicial interest" and so was not allowed to address, or even attend theplanning meeting.  I was permitted to listen to the proceedings in a separate room.

Listening to my fellow councillors I was rather disappointed in the lack of discussion and debate in which the committee engaged.  The proposal represented a departure from the Local Plan, raised issues of accessibility across the site and gave nothing back to Horsell or Woking save for the intangible economic benefit and kudos of having an international charity based in the town.

However I was very impressed by my colleague Cllr Lyons, Mount Hermon West councillor, who raised a wide range of issues and asked a number of pertinent questions, several of which I had asked him to raise.

As it became obvious to me that there was little chance of preventing this development on the car park and Woking's Conservative Executive were set on giving the site away I focused on what both Horsell and the rest of Woking might get back from this development. 

On reviewing council executive papers from September 2008, when the WWF proposal was first made, and January 2009 when the results of public consultation were reported to the executive I saw how much emphasis had been put on the development bringing improvements to the canal, as required in the Local Plan.  This had been totally removed, without mention, by the term the final terms of the deal with WWF came to the executive in November 2010.  When I read that WWF would make no contribution to the canal I contacted the planning officer to confirm my understanding.  WWF were making no contribution to the canal side.  Woking has lost its greatest chance to improve the canal side and integrate the canal and the town centre.  This was a requirement of the Local Plan.  It has been a requirement on all of the number of applications for the site.  Now it had been brushed aside and was not mentioned by the planning committee save for Cllr Lyons valiant efforts.

The canal and the town are so separate.  It is a green space so close to the town centre that so much could be made of to make it a more pleasant environment for all. Canal users would love to bring their boats into the town. If there were facilities visiting boats would come to the town, creating some life and energy on the canal.

As I have reported before Woking Council is giving this site to WWF, charging no rent for 20 years and then a peppercorn rent of just £1,000 per year. Meanwhile Woking Council will pay for a replacement bridge across the canal to connect WWF to the town centre.  The Council has already been allowed to spend up to £25,000 to enable WWF to move to the site.

Horsell Under Attack & It's Costing Us Money

It has happened before and it is happening again. Horsell is under attack and it seems that local residents are paying for it.

The true cost of WWF on Brewery Road Car Park
We have known for several months that Conservative run Woking Council wanted to go ahead with plans to bring WWF to Brewery Road Car Park in Horsell.  What has now become clear is the cost of this great ambition.  I revealed back in November that the WWF HQ will require a new bridge to cross the canal and connect it to the town.  The current bridge across the canal badly needs to be replaced (if only the Council had maintained it properly would that be necesary?). However WBC is looking at spending up to a million pounds on this new bridge and not asking WWF for a penny towards a rather important requirement for their new building.

Last week's News and Mail brought news of even more cost to Woking tax payers.  The paper reports that WBC is giving the site away and giving WWF a long rent free period.  It would be very nice to have WWF in Woking (on a site in the town centre rather than Horsell) but can an environmental charity with a couple of hundred employees really bring enough economic benefit to our town to justify this huge give away.

Relocation of the Fire Station
The second attack on Horsell relates to plans to move the fire station, currently located in the town centre,  to land on Kestrel Way, behind the allotments on Bullbeggars Lane and the Salvation Army.  This proposal is at a very early stage.  I am totally opposed to this move.  It is the wrong location for the fire station.  It is wrong for the residents who will be disturbed by this facility so clsoe to their homes and wrong for the residents who will have speeding fire engines tearing down their local roads to get to emergencies. Although fire and rescue services are the responsibility of the County Council, Woking Council is involved and this can only mean more costs for Woking residents.

I have two messages to Woking Council - Leave Horsell Alone and stop wasting our money!

WWF submit application for Brewery Road car park

WWF has submitted the anticipated application to build a new headquarters building on Brewery Road car park.  You can view the full details of the application here.  Please be aware that Public Access for Planning that holds planning applications has been updated and you may find the interface very different from your last visit. The facility to view documents from an application does not appear to work on Macs or Google Chrome browser. I have taken this up with the planning department and await their response. I have also noticed that my detaails, as a councillor for Horsell West are not showing up on applications.

You can give your views on WWF's application online or write to the Council. If you have a view please remember to have your say.

Sainsbury's Self Service Tills Encouraging Use of Plastic Bags?

I am growing increasingly frustrated with the operation of Sainsbury's self service tills which seems to be completely at odds with the store's policy to reduce plastic bag usage.

The tills give the option of using your own bag. Several times I have put down my bag, containing my purse, phone and other items in order to add a few purchases to the bag. The till refused to work, saying there was a problem with my bag and to ask staff for assistance. A member of staff then came over and pressed a few buttons and I was able to complete my purchases. At no time did a member of staff tell me the till didn't like me puttting a bag down that already contained other items. My husband pionted out the problem with other items in the bag so on my next visit I had an empty Sainsbury's reusable bag with one empty carrier inside. The till still refused to work.

This systems seems to promote the use of Sainsbury's branded plastic carrier bags which are prominently placed on the tills whilst the reusable bags are further away, out of reach.

I have written to Sainsbury's and asked why the operation of the self service tills is so much at odds with their policy to reduce plastic bag usage.  Specifically I have asked the store:

1. Why can't I add a few purchases from Sainsbury's to my handbag?
2. What if I do some shopping at other stores then call into Sainsbury's for some bread or milk. Why can't I add these items to my bag?
3. Why don't staff tell customers what is causing the problem so they are at least forewarned for their next visit?

I will update this post with the reply I receive from the store.

A Gold Plated Bridge for Woking?

Woking Council expect to spend up to £1 million pounds on a new bridge between Brewery Road Car Park and the town centre.  This new bridge will replace the wooden bridge which is in a state of disrepair (in my view mainly down to a lack of maintenance by the Council).

Since we learnt that WWF hoped to build a new headquarters on Brewery Road car park questions have been asked about who would pay for a new bridge and how much it would cost.  I have asked on two previous ocassions about the cost of the bridge and received no figure.  Suddenly the Council has told us it will be up to a million pounds!  Do they plan to build a gold plated bridge?

We are told the reason for the high cost is because the bridge will carry services across the canal.  These services could include Combined Heat and Power (CHP) with the pipes to carry heat requiring to be of a signifgicant size. The interesting thing is that WWF are yet to commit to using the CHP service offered by Woking!

Light up the night - Saturday 27 November

Horsell's canalside will be lit up on Saturday 27 November when a cavalcade of brightly decorated and illuminated boats make their way along the canal from the Lightbox to Bridge Barn.  This is a wonderful event, especially for children.  The boat owners make a real effort to decorate their boats and the effect of all the colourful boats and fairly lights is amazing.

Woking Council staff will also be on the canalside to promote 'Light up the Night' which encourages people to travel safely and feel comfortable when around Woking during the winter months.

The cavalcade starts at 4.30pm on the canalside by the Lightbox.  There is also the annual craft fair at the Lighbox earlier in the day.  Mince pies and mulled wine are to be served at the Lightbox as darkness falls (I assume you have to pay for those but its not clear in the information provided by the Council)

For full details of these events on Saturday 27 November click here.

I definitely recommend dropping by to see this event.

Neighbourhood Policing is here to stay

I was very pleased to get an assurance on the future of neighbourhood policing from Chief Inspector Mark Rowley of Surrey Police last night. 

Chief Inspector Rowley was part of a panel at the Surrey County Council "Have Your Say" event in Chertsey. I took the opportunity to praise the force for the importance placed on neighbourhood policing in recent years and to ask the Chief Inspector for reassurance that this would continue.  I pointed out the excellent service provided by PC Parish (pictured) in Horsell.

The Chief Inspector said that Surrey Police were committed to continuing community policing and despite a programme of reducing more senior officers was still recruiting new officers.  He explained that the force was losing back office staff and buildings but keeping police.

This is very good news for Horsell where having a dedicated local police officer has really made a difference to low level crime and anti-social behaviour in our village.

BBC Surrey Gets It Wrong

Big confusion over at BBC News Surrey this evening.  They report a spate of burglaries in Woking but state that they took place in Horsell.

In fact not one of the burglaries listed in the story took place in Horsell.  The roads mentioned are in Goldsworth Park, Kingfield, Old Woking and St Johns.

I have sent a message to the BBC asking them to correct their error.

UPDATE - Had a call from Peter Stewart, News Editor at BBC Surrey whilst I was out today. Caught up with him at the Surrey County Council Have Your Say event this evening.  He apologised for the incorrrect information on the website but said that it came direct from a Surrey Police press release! Site has now been updated so burglaries are correctly listed as being in Woking. Only thing is Woking is now described as a "village"!

Finally - a response from WWF

I finally got an update from WWF in response to my request for information on the new HQ plans for those unable to attend the consultation events.  They have directed me to their website which gives the "vision" of the new offices they want to build on Brewery Road car park.  They have also sent me two pictures which don't seem to show much more than the ones I took on my phone at the consultation.

If you do have more questions on the new headquarters you can send them to WWF at newhq@wwf.org.uk or send them to me at cllrann-marie@woking.gov.uk  I will be happy to help you get further answers or information from other WWF or Woking Council.

Latest Horsell West Planning Applications

Just one new application in Horsell West this week.

PLAN/2010/1035
Application for a ground floor side extension and single storey rear extension at 3 Whopshott Avenue, Horsell.

Halloween Attack in Horsell

Just seen a worrying story on the BBC News site about an attack in Horsell on Sunday night.  A young man was punched, kicked and robbed of his mobile phone by a group of three men when walking along Brewery Cut / Footpath 19a.  The group ran towards Brewery Road after the attack.

The attack took place around 11pm.  The attackers are described as being in their "late teens to early twenties and of medium build" .One of the three attackers was a litttle taller than the others and was "wearing a white mask similiar to the one in the horror film Scream". He carried a white plastic bag.  A second attacker was of "mixed race or Asian appearance with black gelled hair".  He was wearing a black hooded jacket and a "black bandana with a light-coloured pattern over his nose and mouth".

Did you see the group on Sunday night or do you know who they are?  Please get in touch with Surrey Police if you have any information.  You can call Surrrey Police on 0845 125 2222 quoting reference WK/10/7866 or if you prefer you can contact Crimestoppers without giving your details and at no cost on 0800 555 111.

Full details are on the Surrey Police website.

Gathering views on WWF's plans for Brewery Road Car Park

I have set up a poll on the blog to gather views on WWF's plans for a new headquarters building on Brewery Road car park.  Please cast your vote on the poll which you will find at the top of the web page on the right hand side. Please leave your comments on the plans in response to this post.

Latest Horsell West Planning Applications

A bumper crop of applications as we move into November.  Click on the link to go direct to the full details of the application on Public Access for Planning. You can view plans, elevations, photographs and the full application documents and submit your own comments directly through the site

PLAN/2010/0991
Oak House in Ridgeway is the site of an application to build two detached houses, of 1.5 storeys high and with 3 bedrooms.  This is the third application for this back garden development.  Previous applications in 2007 and 2008 were refused by the planning committee with this decision confirmed by Planning Inspectors on appeal.  Local residents are particularly concerned that this proposed development is out of keeping with the area.  Ridgeway is an "urban area of special residential character".

PLAN/2010/0937
Application to retain a garage at 20 Grobars Avenue.

PLAN/2010/0979
Elmbury in Bury Lane is the subject of an application to erect a two storey side extension, single storey rear extension and front porch.

PLAN/2010/0969
Hamlyns, acccountants, at 98 High Street Horsell seek advertisement consent for the installation of 1 x non-illuminated fascia sign and 1 x externally illuminated sign.  This is one sign on a side wall of the property and a sign at the front.  It appears to be an updating of existing signage.

PLAN/2010/0970
Application at 5 Church Close for first floor extension, two storey rear extension, two storey side extension with integral garage to form a two storey property.  Planning permisssion was previoulsy given in January 2010 for "Alterations and extensions to the property to form a two storey property with integral garage and single storey rear extension.".

PLAN/2010/0975
Application at 14 Claydon Road for a single storey side extension.

PLAN/2010/0990
Application for the erection of a two storey side extension with dormer roof extension and single storey rear extension at 12 Rosehill Avenue.

PLAN/2010/0954
There is an application for a single storey rear conservatory at 26 Lych Way.

Police action on speeding in Horsell

Walking down Brewery Road yesterday whilst my younger daughter practiced her bike riding skills (we've recently removed the stabilisers) I was a little concerned to see a group of police officers at the entrance to Horsell Park. "Has somebody done something wrong?" asked my daughter. Before I could respond our local neighbourhood officer for Horsell PC Josh Parish detached himself from the group and came over to speak to me.

It turned out that PC Parish had assembled the resources to carry out speed enforcement across Horsell. The team had just finished work on Brewery Road and were moving on to Chobham Road and Woodham Road, another team had covered the High Street. Most of these areas are places where I often walk or cycle and there are regular occurrences of speeding vehicles. I have also been involved in Speedwatch at some of these locations. I mentioned to PC Parish that I had recently seen two cars overtaking a third car that was keeping to the speed limit on Brewery Road.

PC Parish told me that a number of tickets were handed out and some warnings given. He also mentioned that the team had not been popular.

I'm delighted to see this police work taking place. Speedwatch is helpful at slowing traffic speeds in the local area but actual enforcement by the police sends a much stronger message to speeding drivers.

"Mouse of Woking" goes for his maiden

As noted by the abrasive Quentin Letts in the Daily Mail this week our local MP has finally made his first speech in parliament. It has taken him five months to reach this momentous ocassion and he is the last of the 147 Tory MPs to break his duck. Mr Letts describes dear Jonty as the "mouse of Woking" and "Parliament's shyest flower".

As is customary the speech was non-controversial and about the constituency. Several points were rather amusing. He paid tribute to his predecessor Mr Malins and his sporting prowess (apparently he once played against the All Blacks). However golf is more his sport nowadays. Jonty seems to think our former MP will be back in Woking to play golf. I would have thought he is more likely to stay in the rather leafier Reigate, where he lived throughout his tenure as MP for Woking, to play his golf.

Jonty also referred to HG Wells who lived in Woking for several years and set his novel War of the Worlds in the town. He appears to miss the irony that Woking is destroyed by the invading Martians in the story. Continuing the Wells theme he refers to the Martian statue in the town centre. It is pretty obvious he is new to Woking, and still as far as I know, lives in Blackheath, south of Guildford. His Tory colleagues on the Council were none too happy about the expenditure on the Martian statue and used its commissioning as a stick with which to beat the Lib Dems several years ago.

Update 2 November

Just read an interesting item on maiden speeches by the 2010 intake over at epolitix.  It seems our local MP was the last of all 227 of new MPs to make his speech.  All but four of the new boys and girls spoke to the House for the first time before the summer recess.  Jonty spoke 156 days afer the first new MP made his maiden.

Information outside Consultation Events

I am trying to find out from WWF what information is available to those who have not been able to attend any of the consultation events. I was disappointed to discover at the consultation events that there was no information to take away. I asked WWF, via Woking Council, what information they could provide for those unable to attend a consultation event and got an email address in response. If you do have comments that you would like to send to WWF you can use this address newhq@wwf.org.uk but it doesn’t tell you a lot about the application! I sent an email to this address and asked what information WWF could to provide to those interested. This was now over a week ago and I am still awaiting a response.

Views from WWF Consultation

As well as attending the councillor briefing on WWF's plans for Brewery Road car park I went along to one of the public consultation events. The evening consisted of a chance to view plans and a model (although there appeared to be less information than that shown to councillors) and a presentation from WWF and their architects followed by questions. The event was reasonably well attended, there were around forty people for the presentation. WWF took plenty of time to answer questions.

I highlight below the issues I heard raised at the meeting I attended and other issues reported to me from the other consultation sessions.

Height and mass of the building
Although the building looks much better than that proposed by Surrey County Council it is still a large building on the site and will be taller than the houses on one side and the Kingswood Court flats on the other side of the car park.

Access
Access across the site could be an issue. Raising a headquarters building above the car park will mean a new bridge. Woking Council will pay for the new bridge (why WWF could not have been persuaded to pay I do not know). This new bridge will have steps, similar to the current set-up, by the canal. There will be a long ramp for pedestrians, prams, wheelchairs and cyclists; running along about two thirds of the car park. There will also be a lift. The lift is likely to have a capacity of around 15 persons and will also accommodate buggies and wheelchairs.

Parking Spaces
Most, but not all parking spaces will be retained. Around 30 spaces are likely to be lost. WWF will have only a handful of spaces on site with staff permits issued for ‘town centre’ car parks and much encouragement of sustainable travel. A drop off facility will be retained close to the car park entrance.

Coach Parking
There will be no coach parking on site – it seems WBC has agreed this with WWF but this was the first time I had heard of this. The proposed Surrey County Council building was to include coach parking. I am very unhappy that this requirement has been removed and that councillors were not informed. Brewery Road is the only location close to the town centre where coaches can park. It is key for dropping off customers for the New Victoria Theatre. There is nowhere coaches can park by the theatre. This is also an issue for mini-buses, often used by the disabled and vans which may be driven by stall holders for the regular or visiting markets or tradesmen working at town centre businesses.

Car park lighting
How will the car park under the proposed WWF headquarters be lit? Of course Brewery Road was totally refurbished at a cost of £750,000 just a few years ago. This work included improved lighting, sufficient to meet the “Safer car parks standard”. When asked how the car parking would be lit, given it would be under the building, the WWF team referred to low level lighting, probably movement activated. All very good in environmental terms but not for personal safety. People like to see who and what is in a car park before they walk into it, not once they are in there. It will be interesting to see how this is resolved.

Canal – funding for enhancements / improvements
A member of the Surrey and Hampshire Canal Society asked about funding for canal enhancements or improvements. This seemed to be something to which WWF had given little thought, but they did say they were open to proposals from local groups. I will be pushing Woking Council and WWF for a substantial contribution to the canal if the building goes ahead.

The effect on local business interests
Several people raised concerns about the effect of a new WWF headquarters on local business interests and the Methodist Church. Access to the theatre, particularly for those arriving by coach was one concern and access to the Lighbox, particularly during the construction phasem was another. There were concerns about parking for those using Trinity either for worship, or to attend events, would park. I am especially concerned to understand if there has been any specific consultation with these local groups.

First sight of WWF plans for Brewery Road

Had my first sight of WWF's plans for Brewery Road car park tonight. Quite a few changes from earlier suggestions. Car parking is retained, as required by WBC. The new headquarters building is on stilts above the current car park. The building is 14m high and two storey. There is a curved roof and the design appears open with a fabric of natural materials.

My initial thoughts are that is is much better than other proposals for Brewery Road car park but it is a large building, taking up pretty much the whole site, car parking will all be under the building (thought it will be open to the side) and there could be access issues.

The building will connect to a new bridge over the canal (replacing the existing bridge). There will be access to the bridge from steps or a lift at the 'drop off' area and a ramp between the building and the canal. I have questions about the capacity of the lift at busy times, operating hours for the lift, support for lift problems and alternatives if the lift is out of action.

A 'drop off' facility for those driving people to or from the car park is provided. There appears to be no facility for coach parking.

I'll be going along to at least one of the consultation events over the next couple of days to listen to WWF's presentation and hear what residents thinks of the plans. I previously posted full details of the events.

Seeing the plans for Brewery Road

As an elected councillor I get a 'private' viewing of WWF's plans for Brewery Road car park tonight. WWF and their architects will be setting up in one of WBC's meeting rooms this evening. This is an opportunity for councillors to see what the environmental charity proposes to build on the Horsell car park site.

The wider public are invited to see the plans on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week when they will be on display at the HG Wells Suite in the centre of Woking. WWF will have their plans on display between 6.30pm and 8.30pm on Tuesday 19 October. This will include a presentation on the plans between 7pm and 7.45pm. There will be two opportunities to see the plans on Wednesday. Either between 2pm and 4pm, which will include a presentation of the plans between 2.30pm and 3.15pm or between 6.30pm and 8.30pm.

Anyone can attend these consultation events. There is no need to book a place just go along to HG Wells.

I am still awaiting a response from WWF on what arrangements are being made for those who would like to participate in the consultation but are not able to attend the events on Monday or Tuesday.

After my viewing tonight I will post some information to help inform those who are able to attend one of the events so they know what to expect and give at least some details to those who are unable to attend.

Better Late than Never

I am pleased to be able to say that there is finally a little more publicity for the WWF consultation events. WWF are consulting residents on plans for a new HQ building on Brewery Road car park.

WWF is front page news in this week's Woking News and Mail and the Council has now put news of the consultation on its website. Whilst listing the dates and times of the events the Council website does not state that there will be a presentation on the plans at one of the evening sessions and the afternoon session. See my earlier post here for full event details.

I am also told, having chased it up, see below, that A4 posters are to go up around the area.

All a bit late in the day given the events are less than a week away but better late than never.

I have been asked what provision is being made for those who are interested to see WWF's plans but who are unable to attend any of the consultation sessions. I am following this up with WWF and will post information as soon as I have it.