Latest news with #Molesey
BBC News
05-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
New homes above wine shop in Molesey given approval
Plans for new homes above and next to a Surrey wine shop have been approved. An extension will be built above Majestic Wines in Walton Road, Molesey, for seven new flats and a pair of semi-detached homes to the of the Elmbridge Borough Council planning sub-committee approved the application on Wednesday. Councillors agreed the scheme was "not perfect" but admitted one-bed flats were needed in the borough, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Ward councillor Steve Bax said when he asked residents on social media about the proposals he was "surprised" many were in favour. "They think it's a reasonable use of the space to add an extra storey on," he site already has two semi-detached properties fronting on to Walton Road with another 13 one-bed flats on the first floor. This means after the approved development, a total of 20 flats will be provided in the Majestic Wines officers concluded the extension to the main building would enhance the character of the area and the existing building. However, parking was raised as a key concern with 23 letters objecting to the scheme. Neighbours said the development would increase parking pressure in Langton Road and would "worsen" existing road safety concerns."Langton Road is not an easy road to park in," Mr Bax said. "It's probably going to create a ripple effect onto the neighbouring roads and that is a concern."Councillors supported the scheme as redeveloping a run-down part of Molesey and providing more homes. Councillor Paul Hughes, representing Hersham Village ward, said: "It is a poorly proportioned building at the moment so [the development] might improve it."
BBC News
23-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Surrey parents celebrate after axed bus services replaced
Campaigning parents whose children were told to use torches to walk across unlit heathland by Surrey County Council (SCC) are celebrating after it was announced that an axed school bus service would be this year, SCC said it was saving money and cancelling the free bus service between Molesey and Esher High School, advising children to walk through dark alleyways and across countryside parents started a petition to put on an extra 814 bus service to accommodate the children with part of the £12bn transport funding granted to SCC by the Kate Maxwell said: "I'm thrilled they've seen sense but it could have been handled so much differently. "This whole process has been so stressful on everyone involved, the parents, children, and schools, and for what?"In a letter to parents, Esher High School headteacher Andy King said the school was pleased to share that an additional 814 bus would be running as a trial from September, following "strong and sustained advocacy from our school and parent community".The council said the extra bus would run for the first half-term of the 2025/26 academic year, according to the Local Democracy Reporting that, demand will be analysed to see if the service continues, said Furniss, cabinet member for highways, transport and economic growth at SCC, said: "We're very aware of the challenges raised by parents and carers and have worked with Falcon to address these."As with all bus services, we need to ensure they are used to make them viable, so I encourage parents and carers to take up this new provision. "This additional bus is being provided by Falcon at no cost to Surrey County Council."
BBC News
03-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Molesey parents' petition calls for increased Surrey bus capacity
Parents have launched a petition calling on a council to use government money to alleviate transport problems after a free school bus was December, Surrey County Council said it would axe free school buses running from Molesey to Esher High School, one month after it announced more than £12m funding from the government to "boost bus services".Children were advised to "bring torches" and "suitable footwear" for the proposed walk to school via alleyways, open fields and unguarded viaduct sluice gates, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).A council spokesperson said they were aware of the challenges that had been raised and were reviewing them carefully. "We will be able to update further in due course," they added. 'So inflexible' The LDRS previously reported it understood cutting the bus route from September would save about £180,000 per have started a petition calling on some of the government money to be put towards increasing the 814 bus between the two towns, which they said was already often Andrew Dillon started the petition and claimed the council was being "so inflexible" over the raised concerns that pupils would be left "stranded"."Attendance and punctuality will plummet, kids will be late for lessons and classes disrupted," he added."It will be a serious blow to the health of the school."Esher and Walton MP Monica Harding wrote to council leader Tim Oliver to request a meeting to discuss increasing capacity on the 814 route or other mitigating wrote: "The withdrawal of assistance and the dirty, isolated, and unlit 'safe walking route' proffered as an alternative by the council risks impacting the safety of pupils, the ability to get to work of parents, and the strong attendance and pupil recruitment rates of Esher CofE High."According to the MP, the council has offered to work with the school on a travel plan. But she warned that it should not be a substitute for greater capacity on the 814 route.
