18th April 2019                                                                    Park Road, Sunbury on Thames

Dear Neighbours,

You may be aware of the story so far but to refresh your memory.

As you probably know the planning permission for the sports hub was found unlawful and quashed by the High Court in January, 2017.  Then the following day Elmbridge Borough Council (EBC) granted themselves planning permission for an almost identical proposal.  Officers convinced their Councillors by gross misrepresentation that there would be “moderate to minor visual impact” to the surrounding properties. Landscaping and planting was proposed to mitigate the impact of the lighting, but any one can see that the visual impact far exceeds anything “moderate to minor”.

We have been working with EBC over the winter to monitor and try to minimise the impact of the lighting.  This has borne some fruit – there have been teething problems, but we now have an understanding that the lights to the athletics ground (closest to Sunbury) are now used at 60% power for training purposes and they will be turned off when not required.

But this understanding is merely informal and we need EBC to commit in a way which binds them legally to protect our local environment and lessen the impact long term. To do that we are back in the High Court soon – on the 2^nd May, 2019.  Technically that is to get the existing permission quashed, with the Councillors then bound to reconsider what they can grant, now knowing the facts and how awful it is.   There may be other things, but our main aim would be for alterations to the lights (which are old technology) and reduced hours.

The legal team are optimistic that the case will lead to a positive outcome by the planning permission being quashed and reconsidered and (at least) stricter controls being put on the lighting.

Since the last case this has been done on a shoestring and the reality is that we need support to take the case through to the hearing.  We are aiming for £10,000.  We have direct pledges of £5,000.  Any contribution from those of you who care about their immediate environment and preserving the remaining beauty of this special place would be welcome - please.

Our solicitor Richard Buxton in Cambridge can answer any questions you may have – [email protected].

Please contribute to our campaign!

Thank you in anticipation.

Amanda Boot

PLEASE SEE PHOTOS BELOW

This was the proposal to the Council's members to achieve the planning permission, demonstrating the lighting impact when it is dark.

But this is what it looks like:

Trees planted by Elmbridge Borough Council to lessen the lighting impact!