Residents win 40-year battle to save Sunbury park (From Your Local Guardian)

Residents win 40-year battle to save Sunbury park

8:50am Wednesday 28th January 2009

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A residents’ association has won a 40-year battle to save a treasured Sunbury park.

Spelthorne Council voted to buy the TP26 Linear Park from Surrey County Council for £1 and council leader John Packman invited the people of Sunbury to think up a new, more exciting name for the recreational ground through Lower Sunbury Residents' Association’s (Losra) website.

“Far from being a muddy footpath this path is an important part of Lower Sunbury.”

John Hirsh

Three months ago, chairman of the planning committee Councillor John O’Hara caused controversy when he branded the park, between Green Street and French Street, a “muddy old footpath”.

Losra chairman John Hirsh said: “This is a very welcome development representing the final chapter in a story which began more than four decades ago - when the TP26 was first conceived as a road which would have effectively cut Lower Sunbury into two halves.

"Indeed it was this threat to the community which brought about the creation of this association.

“It was a very welcome gesture to see that the views of residents are going to be considered.

“Far from being a muddy footpath this path is an important part of Lower Sunbury.”

The council said it planned to create a cycle path for schoolchildren to use and enhance the area’s wildlife.

A council spokesman said: “We have commissioned Surrey Wildlife Trust to carry out wildlife surveys and draw up a management plan for Sunbury Park to enhance the park for wildlife."

Proposals include an annual hay cut in the park, opening up a trail in the woodland, a reduction in the number of younger trees to help improve conditions for older trees and cutting back scrub to enhance bird and insect habitat.

People are invited to view plans from February 3 to 8 inside the Embroidery Gallery, Sunbury Park, and staff will be available to answer questions on Saturday, February 7, from 11am to 3pm.

If you want to name the park you can enter your suggestion on Losra's website.

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