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23rd Sept 2008


We will be showing you the proposal that we have tonight at the Memorial Hall   ??????
  This page is to explore alternatives to the proposed development
       
  It is not enough to complain that a proposal is not to our liking.
We are actively considering and looking for alternative solutions. Not that the Memorial Hall Association have not already done this, but we have a different perspective and this may help in the process.
 
  Please submit any ideas that you have, or any questions you would like to raise that might help in creating an alternative solution.
     
  We have not exactly been overwhelmed with ideas from supporters or villagers.
 
 


We have, however had a few suggestions as a result of our meetings with MHA and WBC. These are provocative, wide-ranging and of considerable interest to the Village and the Borough alike. Much of this is tied up with the SPA, (Special Protection Area) and the Thames Basin Heaths.
This area (SPA) is protected by English Nature and WBC are to some extent in their hands. Their concern is the impact of development within the area on the 3 species of birds mentioned on the home page. As a result they have effected a block on development until a management strategy is developed and implemented to protect and encourage these ground nesting birds.

The consequence of this is that the Council have to have an interim strategy, or a means of dealing with the problem in the short term. This in effect means Horsell Common will be made less open and less people will be encouraged to visit and enjoy recreation there, and they will be directed towards the other green spaces within the Borough. THIS MEANS St JOHN'S LYE - among others.
So we are now a Borough Resource and Woking residents from the whole area will be encouraged to visit and enjoy the open space. No bad thing - it does not belong to St John's it belongs to Woking Borough Council. Byfleet residents contribute to the upkeep just as we do, so there is no argument there.

Ray Morgan (Chief Executive Officer, or CeO) of Woking Borough Council (WBC) has said that over a period of years there is likely to be a considerable sum of money invested in St John's Lye to improve the facilities and the benefits for the town. So what exactly does this mean ?



 
  • Firstly - it means the Cricket Pavilion will be rebuilt. This time though a brick built structure is envisaged and this will include changing rooms, showers, toilets, a club room and a servery/bar area. Regardless of the Memorial Hall this will happen, so a structure replacing the old Pavilion will get built.
  • The changing facilities will include 4 changing rooms - 2 for football on the back Lye and 2 for cricket on the front Lye. Or read "sports" for either, depending on season and demand.
  • For this to be used, the Lye needs to be properly drained and the playing surfaces will need to be properly laid.
  • The area behind the old pavilion has a large number of saplings and poor quality silver birch trees, and these will need to be grubbed out and the "heath" properly managed.
  • The pond area is receiving something of a tidying up this year already and this will also continue.
  • The Lye is connected via the tow path to Brookwood Lye and Brookwood Farm, and both of these areas will also be receiving attention, investment and active management. The connecting tow path will be enhanced to improve the route. This is part of a long term strategy to link these to the Hoe Valley and other recreational areas.

Well that's all fantastic news, I hear many of you say. And it is.

The hard part of that news is that this strategy will include the Memorial Hall rebuild on the Lye. Or that is the proposal. We have walked the site with Ray Morgan and looked at a number of alternatives. The proposed site is a compromise. You have to decide whether it is a good one or not.

We have explored at some length the possibility of the existing site and the reasons that WBC are not keen are as follows:

  • Proximity to local housing means an expensive solution in construction terms
  • There is a 400 year old tree at the rear of the site that is protected, and this restricts the available area
  • Inadequate parking - the current car park would not cope with enhanced facilities
  • There is a Noise Abatement Order on the current site
  • The quid pro quo for building a Community Hall on the Lye is the existing site being used for Social Housing and this would mean a further 6 or 8 houses on that site, helping to meet Council targets - subject to normal planning constraints of course.
  • The MHA do not have enough funds to do this rebuild on their own account (the main reason they asked the Council for help).

We looked at a potential solution where the existing toilet block is, with the body of the Hall going back into the woods.We have to remember that there is currently consent to build in the woods, although there is again a lack of funding and the road is in the way.
So we considered moving the road to go around the back of the Hall site, along the canal path for a distance and then back onto Festival Path. This would bring the whole building nearer the Village and the visual impact would be even larger and more intrusive.
We have also asked them to look at the proposed scheme where the car park, currently behind the proposed site and in the woods, is moved across the road into the canal side woods on the Village side of Carolyn Close. This has some advantages as it is less likely to be a magnet for youth and drug related crime.
We have asked that they consider turning the proposed design through 90 degrees so the main Hall in not fronting the Lye, but is more hidden in the woods, and the Club Room/Small Hall are facing the Lye. This reduces the visual impact when standing by the play area, from about 50% of the lower tree screen to nearer 25% (approx).
Ray Morgan is taking these issues back to their architect and he will draw up more visuals of the footprint for consultation.

The Council have to do something to resolve the problem of the SPA, the deterioration of the Lye and the rebuilding of the Cricket Pavilion. That much will happen anyway, like it or not. The council are also prepared in the face of serious opposition, to go to a Public Enquiry.

I'd like to stress that we have acted as individuals in this process, and we have agreed nothing with WBC, MHA or anyone. All we have agreed to do is communicate these meetings and their results to you all. So now you need to have your say and feedback what you would like to see happen, and what you are prepared to do to support or object any such proposal.

One thing is for sure - INACTION is not an option.
You HAVE To respond and give a view.
You HAVE to make a stand and support the proposal, or join us to fight the proposal by helping to come up with an alternative solution.

Please email your thoughts and ideas to info@savestjohnslye.co.uk and we will post them on this site.

DO NOT BE UNDER ANY ILLUSIONS - WBC have plans for St Johns and we have a chance to influence them during this consultation period.

   If we do nothing     the plans will probably go ahead.
   If we object               we need to be prepared to go to a Public Enquiry - who will do it, and who will pay ?
   If we negotiate         we can influence the proposal and reach a compromise


 
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