ARCHIVED NEWS
December 2007
Recent Communications
Some of you may remember the stance the RWAG committee took with Lacey Simmons, during the "secret" meeting with councillors back in October? At the last moment when most of the residents had left the protest, there was a half-hearted invitation to the 3 people remaining to look at the latest "plans" for Rydens Way. We refused to meet with them as a small group, as we said it should be an open invitation to all the residents, and we felt their approach was disrespectful to our community.
Well subsequent to this meeting, Lacey Simmons have continued with this approach despite us making our wishes perfectly clear. They didn't even approach us directly, but via a Councillor (not the ward councillor). In the first instance we are curious why the didn't approach us directly, as we are very easy to contact!
We restated our position several times, making it clear that the all the residents should be involved in a proper public consultation.
Below is the final reply form Lacey Simmons:
"we would like to confirm our invitation for three members of the RWAG to view our proposal at Elmbridge House. You will recall that we have already held two public meetings about the proposals - to which all residents were invited. The first was a consultation, the second an exhibition."
The only comment we can make is that seems to show that the developers do not really want to engage the local community anymore, and perhaps they now know the strength of feelings towards their proposed development?
14th November 2007
Local MP, Humfrey Malins C.B.E. gives his continued support to save the Green
We asked Humfrey, who has been very supportive in the past, for his current position, and here is his response in full:
"I have been thinking long and hard about the latest on Rydens Way and talking to some colleagues and I have now reached a view. I think I told you that I went to see the plans at the offices of Mr Lacey."
"The bottom line is this. If the building goes ahead as envisaged a valuable and highly prized open space will be lost forever in a place that is already densely populated and extremely busy with traffic. Once it has gone it is gone and that is that. I am certain that the importance of the green area to local residents is immense. Therefore, I am not, repeat not, in favour of this current application and will do what I can to help residents and local people in this respect - I want to help them protect this green area, basically for the reasons I have set out above, and which I have set out in the past."
6th November 2007
Councillor Scott gives his support
We asked Councillor Colin Scott to comment on what the action group and residents are currently doing with regards to protecting Rydens Way from development, and this was his response:
1st October 2007
Village Green Application
Excellent news.....it has been confirmed that our application for Village Green Status for Rydens Way has passed the next hurdle. There will be an independent public enquiry, and we will update you as soon as we get further information. The one thing that is for sure is that we need to raise a large sum of money to cover our legal costs. We will need to appoint an barrister to represent us at the enquiry to maximise the chances of a positive outcome. Please give generously!!
Closed meeting held at the offices of Lacey Simmons
Thankyou to those 40 brave souls, who at short notice and in unpleasant weather conditions turned up outside the offices of Lacey Simmons, in Kingfield. The residents were bouyed by the news, hot off the press that the village green application had got to the next crucial stage!
We were grateful for the tip-off that a "closed" meeting to discuss the future development of Rydens Way was to take place and that various Woking Councillors and Officials had been invited to look at the latest set of proposed plans. I think we made our feelings clear to those that we intercepted, that we were disgusted that our Councillors feel that they should take part in such discussions, totally ignoring the feelings of local residents.
I can only assume that Lacey Simmons are still in denial that there is widespread opposition to any development on Rydens Way! I think that we have already proved that we are not the "vociferous minority" but rather a "vociferous majority".
For more see the on-line report from the Woking News and Mail
23rd September 2007
Maintenance
Well it seems like the grass has at long last been cut on the centre of the green!!. Committee members have been hard at work communicating via Woking BC to get the land owners to do the "reasonable" thing. Lets hope that this isn't a one off by the Land Owner, and that they try and keep it to the same standard as the Turnoak Roundabout that they sponsor!
Village Green Application
The latest we have on the progress of our Village Green application with Surrey County Council is that they are taking advice from legal Counsel. This seems to be taking a long time and the applicant continues to press for a decision!!
15th July 2007
Question at Woking Council 12th July
Thanks to Councillor Stewart Brown (Kingfield) for showing a keen interest in what we are trying to achieve for the community. He put the following question to council:
“Can the Council please confirm what steps are being taken to address Rydens Way residents' concerns about the state of their village green owned by Lacey Simmons"
Reply from Councillor Mrs A E
“The land is privately owned and is not a village green, although residents have submitted a formal application to the County Council to have the land in question designated as a village green.
Council Officers have inspected the land as recently as 4 July and although it was noted that the grassed area would benefit from some maintenance the condition was not such that it would warrant the Council using its powersunder Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
The land is privately owned and Officers have recently contacted Lacey Simmons Ltd to advise them that complaints have been received and they should endeavour to ensure the land is maintained in a clean and tidy condition.
They have responded to the extent that they are considering what action they intend to take and will advise the Council shortly.”
30th June 2007
Continued Lack of Maintenance of the Green
We are still pushing hard to get some action. We have written to the council (again!) and have been assured that the planning enforcement team at Woking BC continue to try to get Lacey Simmons to take a responsible attitude to the maintenance of the centre piece of land on Rydens Way. At the very least the residents should insist that they cut the grass.
Please feel free to contact the council and the local press to voice your opinion!
1st June 2007
Article in the Woking Informer
Unfortunate error in the introduction (not RWAG's fault!).....we were not aiming our fury at Surrey CC, it was aimed at Lacey Simmons for their lack of maintenance of the green. The article did draw out the fact that Woking BC have had no reply from a letter they wrote to Lacey Simmons advising them to cut the grass! Also the analogy with the pristine Turnoak raoundabout, sponsored by L-S and their lack of maintenance of their own land was drawn.
As ever RWAG continues to work on behalf of residents to get the situation publicised, applyng pressure for improvements!
21st May 2007
Maintenance of the Green (or lack of it!)
Once again we have written to Woking council about the lack of maintenance. They even seem to be forgetting to cut the "3 metre strip" around the outside of the two easterly sections. The centre sections are also starting to get very tall grass and weeds. We want the kids to continue to play safely on the green and for residents to enjoy walking on it. We are turning up the wick on this matter, so keep your eyes open for some developments!
17th May 2007
Woking Informer Article
There was an excellent article entitled "Boroughs tranquility under threat" in this weeks Informer. The key points were:
AGM 11th May 2007
10th May 2007
April 2007