The 2005 Annual General Meeting of our Association
took place on 25 May 2005. The Chairman, Miles Macleod,
welcomed everyone and reminded the meeting of the aims
of the association: supporting local heritage, quality
of life and community. He particularly welcomed the
presence at the meeting of Jim Corrall of Neighbourhood
Watch and Cllr Tim Crowther, Elmbridge Borough
Councillor for Weybridge North, and the expected arrival
of Cllr Graham Winton, Mayor of Elmbridge at 8pm. In
reviewing the past year, he made references to planning
issues, in particular the new Walton Bridge & Cowey Sale
junction scheme, and potential threats to the green
belt.
Planning Matters
The chairman reported on planning issues as follows:
Phones mast applications - all rejected in
Elmbridge
Stretton Lodge - going ahead but plans modified
Whittets Ait - after much discussion at various
stages of this long running saga it will be a reasonable
development and will include a public park. There are
new plans re the Office block to be monitored.
Arden - a number of proposals have been put
forward; the appeal result is expected in June
Bulldogs Island - we opposed it and there was a
lot of local opposition but all failed, basic permission
was granted 4 years ago and cannot be changed.
Finances
Ian Bonnet, Treasurer, reported that the association
is running at a small deficit each year but there is a
balance of £700. The meeting accepted the report.
Traffic
Godfrey Turner spoke to this item, in particular re
St George’s College. Parking remains a problem and
especially lack of parking for staff. We are still
pressing for better arrangements. There was a suggestion
that there be double yellow lines all down Thames Street
plus enforcement. This has been proposed to the council.
It is felt that the school is reluctant to take on the
financial implications of parking and therefore we
should stress safety
Walton Bridge
The chairman explained that there was going to be a
public enquiry into the compulsory purchase orders to
acquire the land for the bridge. We have been assured
that a suitably qualified inspector will be appointed
and have Philip Hammond, MP. It is fully accepted that a
new bridge is needed but the design re traffic flow onto
and off the bridge is open to debate. Elmbridge BC
opposes the Cowey Sale junction proposals which would
mean the irrevocably loss of valuable recreational land.
It was queried whether the junction might be linked up
with possible large scale housing development along
Walton Lane. The meeting opposed the proposed clover
leaf junction as too large and elaborate, on a unanimous
show of hands.
Housing and plans for Greenlands Farm &
Broadwater Farm
After discussion of a possible change of use for the
riverside agricultural green belt land along Walton
Lane, there was unanimous approval by the meeting of a
motion that this land is of very special significance to
the community and must be preserved as green belt. This
land is flood plain and a cherished open space between
Walton and Weybridge. There was a query as to the number
of car boot sales being held on part of the land as only
14 are allowed per year. Is this being abused.
Clarification needed.
Neighbourhood Watch
Jim Corrall informed the meeting that there are 76
Watches in Weybridge covering 2000 households with the
support of Surrey Police and an expansion would be
welcomed as it is a strong deterrent to crime. Anyone
interested should contact JC at the end of the meeting.
The Mayor's address
The meeting welcomed the Mayor of Elmbridge, Cllr
Graham Winton.
The mayor spoke of the attraction of this area as a
place to live and work. He spoke of the history of this
association which was originally set up in the 1960’s
and has existed intermittently since that time. He spoke
of the history of the Portmore area from 1670 when
Portmore House fell into disrepair and eventually fell
down. In 1857 Peter Locke King bought the land which was
sold for development from 1890-1900. He encouraged us
all to keep the townscape. We have Portmore pillars
(just) some of the old trees and Monument Green
Conservation Area.
Future Issues
The Chairman asked the meeting to think about future
plans and there was some discussion as to the care and
use of the river bank and a wish was expressed to have
it kept in a semi-natural state with litter removed
regularly. Other matters raised were – The nuisance of
pavement parking -Anti social behaviour -Working more
closely with other residents organisations
Election of Officers
Miles expressed thanks to Frank Johnstone for his
valuable contribution over the last several years Miles
Macleod to continue as Chair, but Secretary of 2 years
(Pat Scholey) wishes to step down though prepared to
stay on the committee. Ian Bonnett to be Treasurer and
Godfrey Turner School Liaison. Committee members John
Phillips and Tricia Scott will continue but others are
encouraged to put themselves forward at the end of the
meeting over refreshments and a glass of wine as the
committee does need more members.
The Chairman thanked every one for attending with
special thanks to the Mayor and Cllr Tim Crowther.
The meeting ended at 9pm and refreshments were served.
