The Hub
Larchwood Drive
Runnymede Borough Council have invited comments on the draft Strategic CIL Funding Programme before final allocation decisions are made in the autumn.
Please note that the Englefield Green Village Neighbourhood Forum and the Englefield Green Village Residents Association do not support the proposed relocation of the Community Hub building from 57 Larchwood Drive to Kings Lane.
Although the Project Summary does not expressly refer to the Community Hub building, it did form part of the public consultation on which this bid is based.
Our objection is based mainly on the site’s peripheral location within Englefield Green; poor pedestrian, cycle and vehicle access; significant security concerns, particularly in the evening and at night; and the missed opportunity to provide a fit-for-purpose community centre at Larchwood Drive. The proposed allotment provision at Kings Lane is also well below the level required by the RBC SPD: 0.35 hectares for 10,000 residents, compared with the recommended 0.5 hectares per 1,000 residents. The proposal also makes no provision for future expansion. The proposed children’s play area is welcome in principle, but it is in the wrong place. It should be within the community, close to local families, rather than on the outskirts. The gardening club is used by many disadvantaged residents and should therefore remain within the community, closer to where those residents live.Although the proposed biodiversity gain may meet planning requirements, the long-standing lack of human activity on the site means the practical effect could still be a net loss, despite the proposed mitigation measures.
We would also wish to record that wording of the survey form used during the public consultation on Kings Lane to be potentially misleading. The second sentence of the second paragraph states: “Retaining or developing Larchwood Drive for community use is unviable due to the building’s poor condition and tight site constraints.” This appears to reflect RBC’s view that sports pitches could not be provided at Larchwood Drive. Even if that is self-evident, it does not follow that the Hub’s existing community facilities must be physically co-located with sports facilities.
The survey also asked about residents’ current use of the Community Hub. However, the building’s poor condition is itself a deterrent. A modern, fit-for-purpose facility on the existing site would almost certainly attract significantly greater community use.
If the Council wishes to improve or expand the existing sports facilities at Kings Lane, we would support that aim in principle. However, the access and security concerns identified above would still need to be addressed. Given that West Surrey is likely to inherit significant debt and may have limited funding, we consider that priority should be given to developing a community centre in the heart of the Forest Estate, where it would deliver the greatest benefit to residents of the Forest Estate and also residents of nearby Larksfield.
There is no evidence of consultation with Surrey Highways or of their views on the significant access constraints, traffic issues on Bond Street leading into Kings Lane, or the likely cost of any necessary infrastructure improvements.
In conclusion, local residents have made clear that Kings Lane is not a suitable location for a community hub. Its position on the edge of Englefield Green, access via a poorly lit lane, and related transport and safety concerns make it inappropriate for this purpose. For these reasons, we do not support the Kings Lane project in its present form or as a priority project compared to the provision of new social facilities within the Larksfield/Forest Estate community. The CIL Schedules can be accessed via the links below:
Projects undertaken by the Forum in Englefield Green are managed by EG Community Projects CIC
Co No: 15690744
