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THE PLANNING INQUIRY INTO THE REDEVELOPMENT FOR 111/115 EPSOM ROAD was adjourned after two days. The inquiry into the planning applications to build four or five houses on the site of 111/115 Epsom Road started in October and was adjourned until November. The barrister for the applicant drew out the hearing with lengthy questioning far beyond the time he estimated it would take. The inquiry drew considerable interest from local residents; those most affected were among those who spoke at the inquiry. The concerns of unneighbourliness to adjacent homes and the fact that the proposals are considered to be out of keeping with the area were the two key issues before the Planning Inspector. Andrew Hodges was able to give some of the background to the history of some of the planning issues, in support of the local residents. The adjourned hearing also ran into time difficulties, and the Inspector's visit to the site and neighbouring homes was further delayed.

The appellant's barrister used as his main summing up point the approval, earlier this year, of the planning application for four house at the corner of Aldersey Road and Epsom Road. The decision of the Inspector following the Inquiry is expected at about Christmas.

THE PROPOSALS FOR FLATS AT ELMDON, London Road was referred to in Issues 73. Local residents are rightly concerned at potential overbearing development to Avonmore Avenue residents. The Applicants agents are redesigning the development which has taken on board concerns from residents of Buckingham Close, but as yet have failed to come forward with plans to satisfy those living in Avonmore Avenue. Andrew Hodges has been discussing the proposals with the agents with a view to finding a reduced scheme which could be acceptable to all.

The latest redesigns still have not addressed the concerns of Avonmore Avenue residents who are concerned with the size of the buildings near to their homes. The site is one which is capable of redevelopment, and the current owners want to obtain planning permission to fund their move into the Rodboro Buildings in the town centre, where they will establish new premises for the Academy of Contemporary Music. Negotiations for which are awaiting completion with Guildford Council.

WHEN THE QUEEN'S ROYAL SURREY REGIMENT MUSEUM had to find a new home Guildford Council said it wanted to keep the Museum in Guildford. A site was found at Centenary Hall, in the town centre, and would be available by relocating that part of the work of the Guildford School of Acting carried out there. All political parties said they wanted to keep the Museum in Guildford. A solution was negotiated but at the last minute the Liberal Democrats threw in a proposal to advance the building of social housing on one of the sites involved, (the Bellerby Theatre ). If successful it would have wrecked the compromise solution.

On the face of it housing may be more worthy than a museum, - but not when the site could not be fully developed, and when there are no plans. It sounded good but was totally unrealistic, the other parties, led by Guildford Conservatives ensured the museum proposals were approved.

Having failed, at the Policy and Resources Committee, to push through their proposals , which, while avoided saying so, would have resulted in ousting the museum from the Borough, the Liberal Democrats again put in an amendment at full Council. This succeeded only in uniting all the other groups on the Council against them, as the saving of the Museum won resounding support from all the other political groups.

Many local residents have commented favourable that the Museum of the regiment, which holds the Freedom of the Borough, was being retained in the Borough, thus avoiding more of our history to leave Guildford.

A POST OFFICE ON BOXGROVE PARK is being proposed by the Post Office. The Sub-Post Office in Down Road, Merrow is to close as Mrs Brown who has run it has announced that she wished to retire. Local people would wish to thank the Browns for the service they have provided. The Post Office wants to relocate this facility to One Stop Stores in Collingwood Crescent, which would then be named Boxgrove Post Office. It is proposed to open the new Post Office in January. The Post Office is undertaking a limited consultation and wanted views in by 2 December

The benefits highlighted by the Post Office include longer opening;Andrew Hodges outside the proposed new Post Office

A COMPANY TRANSPORT PLAN FOR GUILDFORD COUNCIL; Guildford Conservatives have demanded words not action over the Council producing a Company Transport plan. In 1997 the Council agreed to the preparation of a Guildford Borough council Company Transport plan. But it still has not seen the light of day. Guildford Conservatives, concerned at such delay proposed that , as the Council should lead by example it should implement a plan this year. Excuses were forthcoming, and the Policy committee eventually agreed that such plans should be implemented at an early date, which was indicated would be by April 1999.

Company Transport Plans result from organisations reviewing their transport arrangements, including journeys to and from work, travel in the course of business and fleet efficiency. They vary in content but such initiative could include loans for season tickets or cycles, subsidies for public transport, staff buses flexible hours. Some of these the Council has operated for some time, Now they need to be brought together in a comprehensive plan.

CARPARKING PHASE 4 , was reported in Issues No 73 and has created quite some interest . The actual consultation period has been delayed: the proposals are not now expected to be put out to consultation until the end of January. This will last about four weeks and will be reported to the meeting of the Guildford Partnership Area Transportation Sub committee in April.

The main concerns refer to the 'knock on' effect of the town centre parking restrictions, particularly on the Cranley Road areas and in Ennismore Avenue. Andrew Hodges will be discussing the various issues raised with the Council's Head of Services shortly. Unfortunately not everyone can be satisfied, as some suggestions are mutually exclusive.

THE CURRENT CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF WOODWAYS, ABBOTSWOOD seems to be coming to an end. Having appealed the applicants asked for the appeal to be deferred and have now withdrawn it. It now remains to be seen what will happen next - now, as ever, this rests with the owners as to their next move.

IMPROVEMENT TO STREET LIGHTING is to be carried out in some roads in the ward to achieve energy consumption while providing some 25% more illumination on roads and footways, thus improving safety. The County Council intend to carry the work out between November and February.

Printed and published by P Chambers, GCA, 63 Woodbridge Road, Guildford, GU1 4RD