8th December 2008
Hope in Sight for Ex-Service Personnel
The Royal Star & Garter Charity is delighted that a date has been set for a special Full Council meeting at Elmbridge to determine finally the long-running planning application for the Hampton Court Station site. It is calling on Councillors to come to a decision at this December meeting as delays are costing the Charity £40,000 every week that passes - money that could be spent on front line care for ex-Service men and women.
Charity Chief Executive, Lynn McDougall, commented, "It is over a year ago that we submitted our first application, with our development partners Network Rail and Gladedale, and six months since those plans were updated. In that time they have been subjected to the utmost scrutiny by the public and planners. It is inconceivable that there could possibly be any further delays."
The planning application has been passed by both the North Area Planning sub-committee and the Borough-wide main Planning Committee. The proposals have the support of English Heritage and the Government's architectural watchdog CABE. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has considered the scheme and declared that it is compatible with national planning policies and has rejected a call in. The Environment Agency has passed the flood risk assessment, Surrey County Council's Highways Department has fully backed the traffic and transport plans as safe and beneficial to the area, and well over 2,500 people have written to the Council in support - far more than those in opposition.
"The scheme has been back and forth for further clarification, but Elmbridge must now decide," said Chairman of The Royal Star & Garter's Governing Body, Vice Admiral Sir John Dunt. "Every week that passes in indecision costs the Charity £40,000 in wasted upkeep for our outmoded home in Richmond. That is £2million pounds a year, money that we desperately need to spend on the care of disabled ex-Service men and women. With Britain's involvement in world conflict we are starting to care for the young disabled once again: young men still in their 20s as they were when the Charity first formed. We need this new home, we need it on this site and we need to spend our money where it is most urgently required.
"Despite the negativity of some, no one can be in any doubt that every question asked has been more than adequately answered and every professional agency is in support. All the necessary information for approval has been provided. The debate must now surely draw to a close, and the Council give their approval to the application on 18th December."