Campaigns :: Stag Lodge

Mid December 2008, the residents in the local area around Stag Lodge Stables received notification that the owner had put in an application to make extremely dramatic changes to the property.

The application outlined plans to demolish the lodge part of the property, the vast majority of the stable blocks and the main practise ring. Three imposing four bedroom townhouses were to be built in their place and the smaller ring converted into a garden leaving only 4/5 stables and no apparent provisions for feed and bedding storage or a muck heap. The only assumption that could be made that this would prove untenable and the stables would cease to function.

There has been a stable on the stag lodge site since around 1790. It is integral to the fabric of Kingston Vale village and a critical part of the fabric of the park itself. Despite being an expensive sport, the stables are still a community facility and provide a highly valued contribution to the area.

It could be assumed that the timing of the application was chosen quite specifically. Many local residents were away, or gearing up for Christmas and New Year. However, a group got together and circulated a draft letter in the local area. This "template" letter was developed in the hope that if all people had to do was sign their agreement to opposition (as opposed to drafting something from scratch) greater responses would be gathered. This proved to be a successful route with over 16 individual signed letters returned.

In addition, one of the residents kept in close contact with the planning officer at Kingston Council who was unstintingly helpful and informative. In addition, other relevant bodies where contacted including the Friends of Richmond Park (who’s planning expert wrote an outstanding letter), The Royal Parks, English Heritage, Richmond Society, Kingston upon Thames Society, the Conservation Officer and the local councillors.

A real issue for residents opposing a planning application is the lack of knowledge about the planning process and an understanding of what they can do. Of particular help was Zac Goldsmith and Helena Reimnitz from "Protect Our Greenspaces" who provided a great deal of information. Mr Goldsmith even managed to reply to the initial email within less than 24 hours despite being abroad on holiday! Suzanne Kramer also supported the opposition by writing to the Head of Planning.

Everyone was absolutely delighted to receive the letter from the planning officer advising the application had been turned down. The detailed planning refusal document stated that multiple bodies opposed the application but it is clear that it was absolutely essential to make the council’s planning department aware of the feelings of residents.

Several key buildings in Kingston Vale have been lost in the past years and this could be attributed to a "someone else will be opposing this" attitude. If everyone thought that way, nothing would ever be refused. It’s critical that EVERYONE takes responsibility for his or her local areas.

On a very positive note the core team enormously enjoyed meeting other local residents, both old and new!