UPDATED - London Irish proposals for Hazelwood and the Avenue - plans to be unveiled in September

5.26.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 20th Aug 2009

London Irish plan to move away from their site in the Avenue in Lower Sunbury

London Irish have met with Sunbury residents groups and Ward Councillors over the past few weeks, outlining their proposals to move from the Avenue. London Irish want to move their playing pitches and clubhouse to what is now Hazelwood Golf Club and redevelop the Avenue site for housing.

London Irish have announced that there will be a public exhibition in Sunbury on three dates in September

>> On Thursday 10th - a preview evening at Hazelwood Golf Club

>> On Friday 11th at Hazelwood Golf Club - FROM 12:00 NOON UNTIL 8:00 PM

>> On Saturday 12th at The Avenue site - FROM 10:00 AM UNTIL 4:00 PM

At the meetings with residents groups and councillors no plans were made available, but we have been told that there will drawings and details at these presentations.

London Irish propose to build over 300 new homes on their site in the Avenue in Sunbury

Even if you think this will not directly affect you, your Lib Dem Ward Councillors would strongly encourage you to go and have a look at the plans. The impact on Lower Sunbury from these developments would be very significant and not just to the houses bordering the sites.

At Hazelwood, London Irish propose to flatten the site, relocate the lakes, increase the size of the car park and build a new club house and changing facility. They would also create floodlit training pitches, including one artificial pitch. On the Avenue site they have stated that they intend to seek planning permission to build over 300 homes.

The planning rules of Conservative controlled Spelthorne Council require that 80% of any new homes are either one or two bedroomed units. This policy has encouraged the development of flats regardless of the character of the area. Liberal Democrats opposed this policy and believe that the 80% rule has resulted in inappropriate buildings and encouraged over-development of individual sites across the Borough.

In response to questions from Lib Dem Ward Councillors, London Irish said that they have been in discussions with Spelthorne's Planning Department for two years.

There have been pre-application discussions spreading over more than a year between the Council's Planning Department and London Irish spread over more than a year - this is entirely normal for an application of this type and scale.

Hazelwood golf course will be converted into rugby pitches

Local councillor Caroline Nichols said "Until I have seen the plans I cannot comment in detail. I am however very concerned that these two developments could permanently change the character of Lower Sunbury. Your Lib Dem councillors will be attending the London Irish exhibitions and we will be making sure that we speak to as many residents as possible so that we are able to accurately represent local opinion."

Related Links:

London Irish website for their proposals

Surrey Herald article on proposals