Dear Supporters, 

Thank you to those who have written in to the Runnymede Planning Authority to object to the conversion of Christ Church Longcross into five flats.

Today we highlight some of the planning issues we have raised:

1.8 meter vertical metal fencing ruins the historic and semi-rural character of the Grade II listed church, the Lychgate and the wider churchyard

The builder is proposing to surround the allocated outdoor space for residents with a 1.8 meter vertical high metal fence. This is an incongruous and unattractive feature in this semi-rural location.

Imagine the beauty of the site being marred by this imposing industrial looking fence completely out of keeping with the surroundings?

The photo above is of the west side of the church showing the site of the proposed outdoor space for residents. The 1.8 meter metal fence would be directly in view and directly in front of the west side of the church building.

This fence is not something that enhances the character of the building or the landscape environment - rather it directly harms it and severs the visual, historical and functional connections between the church, the Lychgate and the wider churchyard.

The allocated outdoor space for residents is wholly unsuitable 

1. The 1st planning application to convert the church was refused, in part, because of the lack of usable outdoor space for residents ("the private amenity space"). The current application has not changed in any material way, and the west side of the church is still proposed as the outdoor space. 

2. There is heavy tree coverage both within, and surrounding, the proposed resident's outdoor space. Even if trees are allowed to be removed within the proposed outdoor space, the site will still be dark with overshadowing. 

3. There is a brick wood shed building directly in the middle of the allocated outdoor space and this is proposed to be kept and used as a bat hibernation roost. How is the conflict resolved between the residents using the outdoor space and this building for bats right in the middle of the space? 

4. The proposed outdoor space is surrounded by a 1.8 meter high metal fence giving the appearance of being enclosed in an industrial space. The amenity space is not large enough for the height and presence of such a fence to be off-set. This would not be a welcoming space.

5. No landscaping plan or design is provided which illustrates how the amenity space will be attractive and usable. 

How to object

Email your objection to: planning@runnymede.gov.uk 

Quoting Ref: RU.19/0694

Although the deadline is today, Wednesday June 12th, 2019, you can still send in objections after this date which will be included if the application proceeds to Planning Committee. 

Thank you very much again for your support,
Theresa Burton
Founder, Friends of Christ Church Longcross

fochristchurchlongcross@gmail.com