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werra
Forum Admin
28 Posts |
 Posted - 02/06/2008 : 10:55:17
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Epsom & Ewell High School have announced plans to sell the site of the current school in Ruxley Lane and build a new school on the south playing field, behind Gadesden Road. A new housing estate is proposed on the site of the current school. We have asked the consultants that the school has employed to manage these plans to set up a website to make their plans avaiable to the wider community and we have been promised that this will be on-line soon.
Many residents will have received a letter about the proposals, and will have attended the exhibition at the school in January. Those residents may wish to make their views known on this forum.
As soon as information is received from the schools consultants we will post it here.
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Diane
Starting Member
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2008 : 17:25:07
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Many local people will have received either a letter or a leaflet from my husband and myself, informing them of this proposed development. A summary of the key points raised by people that have responded to us so far are:-
1. Traffic
Ruxley Lane resident: Concerned that to enable more traffic to use the road, part of his front garden may be compulsory purchased to facilitate road widening. Another Ruxley Lane resident: This road cannot take any more traffic and hundreds of new properties will create lots more traffic. Scotts Farm Road resident: my road is regularly grid-locked and the grass verges are ruined by traffic squeezing through to get to Ruxley Lane, which is also grid-locked. Gadesden Road resident: roads round here are just not built to cope with the existing traffic, without any extra traffic from the school or the new houses. Chessington Close residents: we have heard that this road may be used as a school entrance or exit instead. We do not always get our rubbish collected because of parked cars blocking the dustcart from using the road. Chessington Road resident: concerned abut the increase in traffic from the new homes and the developers looking for new routes through for the school entrance/exit. Poole Road Resident: There is too much traffic in this area already.
2. Flood Risk
Scotts Farm Road resident: if one field is to be built on and the other Astroturfed, where does the water go? Gadesden Road resident: the school fields are currently flood plain and any changes to the area are likely to have an impact up/down stream.
3. School Exhibition
Several residents from Ruxley Lane, Scotts Farm Road, Poole Road, Gadesden Road and Chessington Road said that they did not know anything about the exhibition until after it had happened. Several local people that attended the exhibition at the same time as me, or who have contacted me afterwards said that they gained very little knowledge about the proposals from attending.
4. New Housing Development
Gadesden Road resident: We know that people need somewhere to live, but there are far too many houses going up in this area already. This will be like a small new town. Ruxley Lane resident: Between 200 and 400 new properties is far too many. The infrastructure is just not there to take it. Another Ruxley Lane resident: The size of this development is scary. The construction traffic will cause us a nightmare from the beginning. Chessington Road resident: We were worried about the odd few houses being built here and there, but this is something else.
Other points raised were regarding : Loss of the lovely green field, the housing development funding the development instead of using allocated government funding to refurbish or rebuild the school, litter, noise levels, potential conflict of interest relating to school governors/the development consortium/local planning department, lack of response and updates from the development consortium.
Diane and Peter Doney
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Ludo
Starting Member
United Kingdom
3 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2008 : 07:32:19
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First of all the taxes we pay are meant also to provide for the building of new schools and the upgrade of old ones. Ofsted reported that the school could do with some upgrading but nothing in the report points towards a need for a brand new school.
It is very clear that the developers have set their eyes on the school grounds and that the school itself is not the priority in this plan but rather the means to achieve another aim, in the best Machiavelli tradition.
The new school is not going to be any great improvement on the present group of buildings. An upgraded sports facility that does not include a well-appointed gymnasium to cater for year-round sports is simply the same playing field we now have. Nothing in the plan points towards a wish to meet the needs of students and faculty. Right now the school grounds contain sufficient parking spaces for faculty, staff and visitors. A housing development will absorb all that. The new school building will be no larger than the old one and will have less parking bays, verges, open space and trees. Squeezing a school behind a housing estate, no matter how you look at it, is not going to provide our young people with a school of excellence or with an innovative campus.
Ruxley Lane is very congested. A new housing development will inevitably bring more cars.
Not using the car is not an option for most of us since the few small local shops only sell alcohol and odds and ends. Endless – and growing - rows of houses between Ewell and Chessington make it mandatory to use the car to go to the doctor, the vet, the supermarket, the station. Busses are infrequent and the connections are not very good.
I feel that it is somewhat pointless to comment on a plan that has yet to take shape. There is no information whatsoever apart from the clear indication that this is a barter between school, council and developers. Also, any plan needs to be considered together with any plans for the Hawkins site, opposite the school.
I do not feel that this vague proposal is beneficial in any way or form to our community - what little is left of it - and least of all to our students.
One more question: where would the students be during the proposed building process?
L Betts
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Diane
Starting Member
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2008 : 15:56:15
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| Just a quick reminder to anyone reading this forum, that the development consortium representatives are due to be making a short presentation and answering resident's questions at the WERRA AGM on Friday evening (28th March). This is a great chance to find out more about this proposed development and to voice our questions and concerns. The time and venue are; 7:15pm for 7:30 start at the Community Hall in Fulford Road. |
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Ludo
Starting Member
United Kingdom
3 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2008 : 09:52:08
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Do the Councillors have any information on Cleveland (developers)? Four Communications is not forthcoming and there is no information for Cleveland on the internet.
The School website does not carry any information on the subject of its future. Do the first line casualties, the students, know what is being proposed?
An unknown developer, a "communications" firm that does not communicate, a secretive school and the vague plans for the site are a very effective wall to stop any exchange. Forgive me for giving in to conspiracy theories. |
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Ludo
Starting Member
United Kingdom
3 Posts |
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n/a
deleted
17 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2008 : 06:18:38
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Discussion on the "Vernon Close" thread has touched on the topic of the redevelopment of Epsom & Ewell High School. As I have posted a comment relating to the High School, for completeness I am copying it here also....
quote:
Originally posted by Diane
... to put the record straight on the School Redevelopment issue, Derek advised during the subsequent WERRA monthly meeting, that he was actually misquoted by the press, in the same way as the WERRA AGM write up in the Epsom Guardian was rather full of errors.
Ah yes, the old chestnut: shock horror, I've been misquoted!
Claiming to be have been "misquoted" is one of the most common excuses used by both national and local politicians. Only the party faithful are so naive to believe the politician who attempts a ‘U’ turn by denying they had made a previous statement.
To quote from the Epsom Guardian article in question...
<quote> But Councillor Derek Phillips said that the plans for the new school were "exciting" and "great for the area". <unquote>
And again further on in the article, the Councillor was quoted as saying...
<quote> "It will be a positive thing for the area...". <unquote>
Clearly that exposes the plans and intentions of this particular Councillor. Exactly what his personal motives are, may or may not, become known in the future.
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Diane
Starting Member
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2008 : 16:41:16
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Are you telling me that you find the press more believable than the local politicians, Long Term Resident? As I said before, the WERRA AGM write up by the local paper was full of holes and incorrect information, as the approximately 140 people that attended the meeting that night could confirm. About the only person that the local press have not misquoted in the body of the paper over this issue is me, but when they published my first letter, back in January or February, they were "selective" over the parts of my e-mail they printed, to put on a bias that had not been there initially, so on this occasion, I believe the former councillor!
Getting back to the real matter in hand, rather than just personal gripes, the school issue is by no means over, but good progress against the housing development idea and the loss of the field does appear to be being made. Just because it has gone quiet, does not mean that nothing is being done. Members of the RA committee are still working hard on this, to try to find a solution that will be good for all. The school Head and some of the Governors are continuing to be cooperative by meeting with WERRA reps (and had also met with myself a while ago). They appear to be open to any sensible alternative ideas as to how they can obtain the funding required to rebuild or refurbish the school, which had unfortunately been allowed to deteriorate in the belief that the developers could save them (as evidenced in the OFSTED report). If anyone has any good ideas, perhaps they could post them on this Forum, or e-mail them to any of the WERRA committee, for relay to the school and discussion during their next meeting. I don't think that the odd jumble sale, cake stall or sponsored walk will quite do it, so over to you, residents of Ruxley and West Ewell! |
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n/a
deleted
17 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2008 : 09:26:51
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quote:
Originally posted by Diane
Are you telling me that you find the press more believable than the local politicians, Long Term Resident?
I'm not in the habit of having to repeat myself, but it's not so much a case of what the press get wrong, more a case of that you cannot and should not put your faith in any national or local politician. You are clearly bubbling over with enthusiasm in your support for WERRA, but given time you will learn that what I'm saying is correct.
quote:
Originally posted by Diane
As I said before, the WERRA AGM write up by the local paper was full of holes and incorrect information, as the approximately 140 people that attended the meeting that night could confirm.
I did attend the meeting. Your interpretation of events is clearly different to mine and some of the other residents that I spoke to that evening.
quote:
Originally posted by Diane
They appear to be open to any sensible alternative ideas as to how they can obtain the funding required to rebuild or refurbish the school, which had unfortunately been allowed to deteriorate in the belief that the developers could save them (as evidenced in the OFSTED report).
So its a "disaster recovery situation" and these people are looking for an easy way out of an embarrassing situation that they and SCC have created by neglecting the school. Therefore what's easier than to neglect the field behind Gadesden Road for a few years so the kids can't use it, claim its surplus to requirements, and then manoeuvre the situation so that the developers will fund a new school and save the hides of the school head and governors?
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Diane
Starting Member
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2008 : 10:34:42
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| We all know how the school situation arose, but what is important now, is how we all help the school deal with it, so everyone locally can benefit. Quite frankly, anyone that can come up with any useful suggestions, or help to resolve the situation has far greater respect from me that someone that simply rakes over what's happened so far, forecasts doom and gloom and apportions blame to anyone and everyone. I am not bothered whether the helpers are politicians or not, but we have to face facts that they are better placed to influence than we residents alone. What's that ancient saying? United we stand, divided we fall! |
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n/a
deleted
17 Posts |
Posted - 11/14/2008 : 06:49:20
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And I would suggest your comments confirm and highlight the extreme weakness of WERRA. Your organisation has held power of the West Ewell Ward for the last 50 or so years. Are you telling us that in all that time, WERRA councillors have learnt nothing of negotiating around local developments and are now so desperate they really need to receive suggestions from residents on what to do?
Roll on the next local elections!
But going back on what I've indicated previously, perhaps they don't want to prevent it. Face facts Diane, perhaps as an encouragement to win back the seat they lost to Councillor Steve Pontin (Conservative) at the last election, WERRA councillors do favour the residents of Ruxley Ward who would love to lose the school from within their Ward.
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Diane
Starting Member
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
Posted - 11/14/2008 : 17:08:10
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We seem to be digressing from the subject of the school yet again. However, regarding your suggestion that WERRA have "held power" for 50 or so years, I fail to see how a normal Residents' Association, run by residents, for residents, can have held power? Having spent about 2 minutes with my search engine to check the Register of Political Parties, they only appear to have become a political party on 11/05/2001. Just because the Residents' Association was formed over 50 years ago, does not indicate "power" as you put it since then. Perhaps someone from WERRA can confirm this, or put us both straight?
WERRA are not requesting the help of the local residents to fight battles on all our behalf here, I am.
From your comments, should I take it that you are a member or activist for some other political party? I do not consider myself an activist of any party; my only connection is paying a £2 annual subscription to WERRA to enable my attendance at the monthly meetings, so I can find out what's going on locally that might have an impact on me and my family. When the school issue came up, I wrote to all of the local parties and anyone and everyone else that I could think of that might be able to help. It just so happens that WERRA gave, and continue to give, the best response - just as one would hope from what started as, and hopefully continues to be, a Residents' Association... |
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deleted
17 Posts |
Posted - 11/16/2008 : 12:01:26
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quote:
Originally posted by Diane
We seem to be digressing from the subject of the school yet again.
Not so, my previous posting was a summary of the situation the councillors in whom you place your trust find themselves.
quote:
Originally posted by Diane
regarding your suggestion that WERRA have "held power" for 50 or so years, I fail to see how a normal Residents' Association, run by residents, for residents, can have held power? Having spent about 2 minutes with my search engine to check the Register of Political Parties, they only appear to have become a political party on 11/05/2001. Just because the Residents' Association was formed over 50 years ago, does not indicate "power" as you put it since then.
There’s nothing like ‘wild enthusiasm’ to detract from the true situation. WERRA has won the majority of West Ewell Ward council seats for the last 50 years or so. Yes the party, as such, has only been registered since 2001. Before that date, the current UK legislation requiring political organisations that offer candidates at national/local elections did not exist.
quote:
Originally posted by Diane
WERRA are not requesting the help of the local residents to fight battles on all our behalf here, I am.
But are you not the householder whose property borders immediately onto the school field being considered for the new development?
Presumably at the WERRA monthly meetings you attend, you will be given a ‘feel good’ factor that they (WERRA) are opposed to this development. The reality is that you will not the first resident to be fooled in to believing that WERRA is supportive and on your side.
quote:
Originally posted by Diane
From your comments, should I take it that you are a member or activist for some other political party?
I like most of the British public of my advancing age have learnt that you cannot trust any politician irrespective of their political colours. Each and every one of them, and yes I do include those of WERRA, are generally liars, and furthermore these people are in politics for one reason and one reason only – for what they themselves can get out of it.
quote:
Originally posted by Diane
When the school issue came up, I wrote to all of the local parties and anyone and everyone else that I could think of that might be able to help. It just so happens that WERRA gave, and continue to give, the best response - just as one would hope from what started as, and hopefully continues to be, a Residents' Association...
Diane, open your eyes, step backwards and look at the bigger picture and ask yourself: What response is WERRA giving to Ruxley residents, many of whom I understand are supportive of the proposal to relocate the school in Ruxley Lane to a lesser busy road?
The sad fact is, that you and I, along with every other household in Scotts Farm Road, Gadesden Road, Poole Road, Oakhurst Road, and Danetree Road are all probably going to be sacrificed by WERRA and the other numpties in support of this project.
I have lived in West Ewell since the 1940s. The days are gone forever when West Ewell was a pleasant environment to live and where there was a proud and friendly community spirit. This latest monstrosity is going to be yet another development that is set to further destroy the local environment. Just get used to it and get on with your life!
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Epsom & Ewell High School
