I am writing to you in my capacity as Hersham Ward Councillor of Elmbridge Borough Council and also on behalf of my fellow Hersham Ward Councillors...
Hersham Newsletter
FEBRUARY 2025
2025 is going to be pivotal for the future of Hersham.
All residents, businesses and all stakeholders including the Doctors Surgery, local schools and everyone with any interest in the future of the community must be aware of these issues…
There are three large sites in various stages of evolution which will have a profound effect on each and every one of us. These three sites are in very close proximity and cannot, should not, be considered in isolation from each other.
They may be subject to individual planning applications, both actual and pending, but it is folly to ignore firstly how these applications relate to each other and secondly the combined impact of all three on the community.
Hersham Green Shopping Centre
Planning Application 2024/0498 was unanimously rejected by Elmbridge Borough Council planning committee on 23rd October 2024.
The Centre and the community have since been left in the dark about the intentions of the owners and their agents, with the fabric of the buildings obviously deteriorating.
There is now an overriding sense of uncertainty. To this end our three local councillors wrote an open letter dated 27 January 2025 to the owners Centrica Combined Investment Fund, copied to the managers of the site JLL and the developers of the site Quadrant Repurpose. No response has been received. Only JLL acknowledged receipt, saying nothing but directing all enquiries to Quadrant.
Quadrant have been silent as far as the community is concerned. Hersham feels it is being completely ignored.
Hersham Golf Club
Planning Application 2023/3519 is due to be considered in March 2025. The proposal is to provide 221 residential units with 50% classified as affordable housing, a medical facility, local infrastructure and substantial public open space. This newsletter is not the place to discuss the pros and cons of the application itself, but all parties are aware of Central Government directives and the issues regarding the Local Plan which is currently being reconsidered.
Hersham Technology Park
Berkeley Group have purchased this large site and are bringing forward plans. Details will emerge but it seems that this will be a residential and community infrastructure project. It is very early days and it is noted that already effort is being demonstrated to fully consult with all stakeholders.
Our three councillors have already met with the developers following the first public consultation and meetings are being arranged with the group that represented local residents associations concerning The Centre.
Berkeley Group have made it clear that local detailed consultation is paramount.
As indicated above these applications are not mutually exclusive to each other as far as the residents of Hersham are concerned. For example, more residential units puts even more pressure on the need for a thriving Centre and car parking facilities. Surely this is also something that the Elmbridge Borough Council initiative known as Shaping Hersham should be considering as a matter of urgency.
Latest News
The Shaping Hersham Online Survey is now live on the Elmbridge Website. This is your chance to have your say.
At this point, Hersham should be proud. We have made our views known loud and clear, without rancour and always relying on facts and reference to planning policy.