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Welcome to our August newsletter

Dear members, residents and councillors

We urge you to engage in Kingston's new Local Plan as it includes some significant developments for Chessington. The deadline is just over a week away. We have local volunteers to help you compile a valid response and lots of information too on our new look website.

Read on, too, for updates on a retrospective planning application for the travellers site in Malden Rushett, UK Power Networks project, the concrete works at Garrison Lane, our local children playgrounds. There's also a new petition to retrict juggernauts using the Leatherhead Road, an introduction to the Met Police's new Superintendent for Kingston and our report on the recent police ward panel meeting.

We’re always looking for new volunteers to help CDRA thrive - even a small bit of time or a particular skill can make a real difference. And if volunteering isn’t possible right now, becoming a member is another great way to support our work. Membership is just £5 per household per year. Maintaining and growing the association’s membership is really important to keep our residents’ association running.

There will be a little break in our monthly newsletter distribution for a while as our volunteers who help me with this are taking a break. Our next newsletter will be in November.

Best wishes

Diane Brannan

Secretary and Treasurer

Kingston’s Local Plan - deadline for comment 4th September

Chessington’s open fields will be built over, wildlife habitats lost, high-rise blocks introduced into a neighbourhood that has never had them. There is no clear evidence that roads, transport, utilities, GP provision or other essential services will be improved. We need a Local Plan - but one that is deliverable, sustainable and right for our community. This is your final chance to comment on the plan’s legality and ‘soundness’ before it goes to the Government’s Planning Inspector. We strongly encourage you to get involved. We’ve put together useful tips to help you compile your comment, and there are local residents available who can support you if you’d like guidance on how to frame your response clearly and effectively.

Find out more

Retrospective planning application travellers site

Retrospective Traveller Site Application – deadline for comment 28th August

A retrospective planning application has been submitted for the newly installed traveller caravan site on Leatherhead Road in Malden Rushett - and the deadline for public comments is fast approaching on 28th August. This proposal would formalise a 7-pitch site on land that Kingston Council’s own Green Belt Study classifies as making a Very Strong contribution to preventing urban sprawl. The applicant is claiming the land is ‘Grey Belt’. With the new national planning rules giving “substantial weight” against intentional unauthorised development, this is a significant moment for our area. If you have views on the application, now is the time to make them heard.

Find out more

UK Power Networks update

Most of the duct laying work is now complete. The final section will be installed outside the Shell Garage on Hook Road and then across the Ace roundabout. From 14th September, for around two weeks, there will be no access to the roundabout when travelling south from Hook Road (garage access only). A signed diversion will be in place via Ditton Road and Ewell Road. The next phase of the project - joint bay works - begins in September. This involves opening excavations at intervals along the route so contractors can pull the new cables through and connect them to the electricity network.

During the works, we have got to know the UKPN project team. Soon we say farewell to lead community stakeholder engagement lead, Emily Fisher, as she takes off her UK Power Networks hat and puts on the beret of the King’s Royal Hussars, becoming Lieutenant Emily Fisher. Read her story.

Find out about UKPN works project

Cappagh / Express Concrete works, Garrison Lane

We are aware of residents and businesses continued concerns about the concrete works at the Chessington South railhead opposite the station on Garrison Lane. Work is continuing behind the scenes on this issue. Cappagh and Express Concrete have agreed to meet with us, and we are currently arranging a date in September for a discussion involving local businesses, residents, councillors and council officers, including RBK’s Lead Pollution Officer. The summer holiday period has slowed scheduling. In the meantime, we are working closely with the RBK Environmental Team to review the site conditions and gather the evidence needed for that meeting. We’re not able to invite everyone, as a very large group would make it harder to present the community’s concerns effectively. However, if you are affected by the activities at the concrete works at the Chessington South railhead, we would like to hear from you. Please email [email protected]

Meet Superintendent Daniel Cooper

Kingston has a new Safer Neighbourhood Superintendent - and he knows the borough inside out. Daniel Cooper has deep local roots and decades of frontline experience. You may also be interested to read our report of the Police Ward Panel meeting held on 11^th August.

Meet Daniel

South of the borough playgrounds

A resident raised concerns with us about the declining condition of our local children's playgrounds - Woodgate Avenue, Churchfields, RAF Chessington Green Space and Sir Francis Barker in particular. We asked our councillors for an update, and there’s now a clearer picture of what’s happening.

Find out more

Sign our petition to ban juggernauts on A243 Leatherhead Road

Heavy lorries are increasingly using the A243 through Malden Rushett and Chessington, causing congestion, safety risks and noise on a route never designed for vehicles of this size. We’re calling for these HGVs to stay on the M25 until Junction 10 - recently upgraded to handle heavy traffic - and use the A3 instead. This simple change would make our community safer and quieter. Please click through to read more and sign the petition.

Find out more

New look website

CDRA volunteers have been busy over the summer creating a fresher, more modern look and feel to our website. You’ll still find all the familiar favourites, from local news and neighbourhood updates to planning information, events and community notices. It’s designed to be clearer, easier to navigate and a better reflection of our vibrant south of the borough community. If you have a story to share or something you think neighbours would like to know about, we’d love to hear from you. Please email Louise on [email protected]

Make a difference in our community

We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers who care about the future of Chessington and the South of the Borough. CDRA is a voluntary, non‑political and self‑funded organisation, and we want to strengthen the local voice on issues that matter. If you have an interest in planning or legal matters, are confident reading detailed documents, or are good at turning technical language into clear, plain English, we’d love to hear from you. Your skills could make a real difference to residents across our community.

Find out more

Local events & meetings

Chessington Family Fun Day

31st August 2026, 12.30-6.30pm

Sir Francis Barker Recreation Ground, Leatherhead Road, Chessington KT9 2NB

Hosted by Parkside FC, the Keeping In Mind project, Kingston Community Football Team and the Chessington Cricket and Sports Club, this fun‑filled day includes activities for all ages — from fairground rides and a community football game to local traders, food stands and live performers. Funds raised will help restore the Chessington Cricket and Sports Club clubhouse.

CDRA Executive Committee Meeting

1^st September 2026, 7.30pm
St Paul's Centre, 280 Hook Road, Chessington KT9 1PF

Our monthly committee meetings are usually held on the first Tuesday of the month. Meetings are open to all.

South of the Borough Neighbourhood Committee

10th September 2026, 7.30pm
King George Fields Indoor Bowling Club, Jubilee Way, Chessington KT9 1TR

Neighbourhood Committees oversee local development control, highways and other place based services, including managing parks, community halls and engagement with residents, businesses and community groups. Find details of committee members, meeting agendas, minutes and past recordings here.

People’s Emergency Briefing film

22nd September 2026, 7.30-9pm
St Paul's Church, 280 Hook Road, Chessington, KT9 1PL

This important 50-minute film brings together nine leading UK scientists and experts with the latest evidence on climate change and why it matters. Afterwards, there will be discussion in small groups about what it means for our community and what we can do locally. Refreshments served from 7.30pm.

Join us - we need your support

If you’re not yet a member, now’s a great time to join. Membership is just £5 per household per year, and a strong membership gives Chessington and the south of the borough a louder voice — especially with major developments proposed at Hook Park, Garrison Lane and Signal Park. Your support keeps the association running, covering essential costs like meeting venues, printing and our website. You can pay by bank transfer, cash or cheque.

Join now

CDRA e-newsletter - spread the word

We you enjoy reading our newsletters and find them interesting. If you feel others would like to receive them too, please forward this one tothem. There's a newsletter sign up form on our website. Thank you for reading.

Chessington District Residents' Association

www.chessingtondra.org.uk

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