The Effingham Eye: Car Park Charges Scrapped, Pub Likely To Close, A Donkey At Church, And More

Published on: 16 Jan, 2020
Updated on: 16 Jan, 2020

Chris Dick gives his personal report on good news for the future and some recent events in Effingham that include: a presentation to the parish council on yet more houses,  a friendly donkey, wasteful parking charges and a pub’s uncertain future.

Parking charges to be scrapped

The parking charges on our commons will be scrapped. The covert tree-mounted cameras, some vandalised, will be removed. And residents and passersby will once again be able to enjoy the countryside free of charge.

How such a decision, to introduce charges in the first place, got through the council defies economic sense. The project could never have paid for itself as regular users simply went elsewhere to places like the Esher and Oxshott commons as well as the many National Trust car parks locally.

Above and below: covert camera destroyed at Ockham and Chatley Heath car park.

In April 2020 one of the least effective and most unpopular decisions made by Surrey County Council (SCC) will be overturned.

This unsound economic decision was flawed from the start. It was allegedly the brainchild of one councillor who kept going on about the introduction of charges. That the charges would be a useful source of revenue.

But instead, the SCC decision serves as an example of both the Peter Principe which says: “In a hierarchy every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence.” And the ancient Roman theory of the Power of One, demonstrated in the Forum by Cato the Elder who frequently said at the end of his speeches: “Carthage must be destroyed.”

Sadly, that is exactly what happened. Carthage was sacked and we ended up having to pay for parking.

The installation costs for the parking amounted to around £300,000 while the first year revenue only reached about £60,000. This was about £140,000 shy of the council’s estimated annual revenue of £200,000.

Some readers may even consider the shortfall a misuse of public funds and perhaps even those responsible should be required to repay the taxpayers’ money they wasted.

It may be worth remembering this is the same county council that invested £9.3 million in the Icelandic Glitnir bank, which failed in the 2008 financial disaster. It appears that SCC has not learned by its mistakes.

It is therefore no surprise that SCC now claims to have no money for other important local services.

Sir Douglas Haig pub calls last hours

The Sir Douglas Haig pub in Effingham.

On Tuesday, January 7, Effingham Parish Councillors and about 50 residents listened to proposals to replace Effingham’s General Sir Douglas Haig pub with nine houses and a small retail unit.

Residents and councillors listen to presentation on the possible future of the Sir Douglas Haig pub.

Before the main parish council meeting, E.T.Consultants gave a short outline presentation regarding the possible development of the Haig pub site in Effingham. This was followed by questions asked by councillors and then residents.

Cllr Hogger pointed out that the sketch plans failed to meet several policies contained within the Effingham Neighbourhood Plan; insufficient parking, smaller housing needs and the pub’s listing as a community asset.

In response to Cllr Hogger’s points, Emily Temple, speaking on behalf of E.T.Consultants, explained that the outline plans were no more than a start point.

However, when pressed she acknowledged the plans had been submitted to Guildford Borough Council planners as a ‘pre ap’ for discussion. She went on to say that the retail unit could be a pub thereby retaining the community asset. She added that smaller dwelling units was an option.

Other residents were concerned that the Haig car park, currently used by parents to drop off and pick up their children from St Lawrence Primary School, might lose this facility. However, while content for this practice to continue for the time being, Ms Temple pointed out that the car park is privately owned.

While those residents present appeared against the plans and the councillors remained impartial, the recent history of the Haig has been one of decline and some form of development is virtually inevitable.

That is, unless history repeats itself. Three decades ago the pub was similarly threatened with closure but locals campaigned and the pub was saved.

Berkeley Homes get go ahead to reduce size of new Howard of Effingham grounds

Guildford Borough Council planning meeting on January 8.

At Guildford Borough Council’s planning meeting held at Millmead on Wednesday, January 8, councillors agreed to Berkeley Homes’ plans.

The plans were to reduce the amount of land previously allocated for the new Howard of Effingham School and playing fields by about 3.3 areas.

Effingham Parish Council chairman Ian Symes and Vivien White, chairman of Effingham Residents’ Association. both raised concerns about the loss of land.

Cllr Symes said: “That this application is unpopular in Effingham is evidenced by the number of residents objecting. The main reason is that Berkeley Homes have told us they want to build another 55 homes on land taken from the school, to overcome a reduced profitability.”

Vivien White said: “The piece of land bordering Lower Road was seen as an important mitigating factor by the inspector in allowing the appeal. with two purposes.

“It was to act as part of the perceived green gap between Effingham and Little Bookham. Which, in the inspector’s words: ‘Limits the damage to the rural context of the settlement’. This aspect is very important to local residents on both sides of the boundary.”

In favour of the new plans, Rhona Barnfield, chief executive officer and director of secondary education for the Howard Partnership, said: “We have worked closely with the architects and participated in design workshops with many stakeholders.

“The plans follow up-to-date Government guidance to ensure the new facilities can meet the areas and standards expected of 21st-century schools. And which, sadly, we currently cannot meet. That is, being safe and secure, allowing step-free access for disabled pupils, adequate classroom space for outstanding teaching and learning, having sufficient toilets and improving energy standards, thereby reducing costs and harmful emissions.”

A well-behaved donkey attends church

Once again Jimmy took centre stage at the annual Living Nativity Play in Effingham. And unlike the first year there was nothing to clear up afterwards.

Now in its third year, the Effingham Living Nativity took place on Friday, December 20.

Again around 130 people turned out to watch the annual event unfold as the players were refused entry at various locations until reaching St Lawrence Church which had been miraculously turned into a stable for the occasion – and strangely was providing free hot chocolate and mince pies.

Again the General Sir Douglas Haig pub kindly provided free after-show nibbles for all. More about the Haig anon.

Two kings – David Bleming (left) and Paddy MacVean – about to visit the baby Jesus.

A goodbye 

Anne Bleming with husband David.

At last month’s Christmas carol service, The Revd Mandy MacVean paid tribute to Anne Bleming who had led the St Lawrence Choir for the past 40 years.

Mandy announced that Anne would be stepping down as the choir leader and in effect moving to the back-benches.

Anne said: “I was a member of the young wives group 50 years ago and started leading the choir on a temporary basis 40 years ago. Quite a bit has changed since those early days. We now have robes but we had to drop the term young.

“So, although it was not as temporary as I thought, it has been huge fun. I look forward to enjoying the singing without the background work.”

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