Annex 2 Observer Free A Tolwor t h Are a Pl a n Produc t ion OCTOber 2017

The story of Tolworth: Despenser (an evil chap: the cause of a war in his name in 1321); after him by Queen Isabella; and before him by the Constable a snapshot of Castle. the ownership of our manor goes back to Richard de Clare, who came from Normandy at the time of the invasion, and whose father was the guardian of the orphan who by Bob Phillips and Pat Ward, became . local residents and historians Tolworth Court was the centre locally for running the county and Did you know that Tolworth has a very long history? Did you the law. We were a very important place in the Middle Ages, know that it existed (as Talworth) over a thousand years ago and but never a - just a hamlet of less than 250 souls, with is listed in the of 1086. Tolworth is the home of our manor and three big farms. Now imagine what might have modern history too - launched his Ziggy Stardust happened if that important hamlet and centre had grown into a extravaganza here. It was also the location of an important town, with a real town centre to support the community. manor house, owned by the Queen. It didn't, because in 1837 the railway came to , and Historically we were not part of Kingston, but of , much thanks to the imagination and energy of a chap called Thomas closer to . Our manor house, 'Tolworth Court' was on the Pooley, and the efforts of Coutts Bank, Surbiton became our first most important north-south road, in the days when Kingston had railway commuter , and all subsequent development in the only bridge west of . Anyone who travelled between Tolworth was really a side-effect of that. Even our first church, St the royal palaces of Hampton Court and Nonsuch (Henry VIII's Matthew's, was located in Surbiton! most important palace) came past our manor. No wonder that Tolworth Court was owned by major figures like Hugh (Continued on page 4) 2 Tolworth Observer OCTOber 2017 OCTOber 2017 Tolworth Observer 3 Introduction What we heard so far... Motspur The Royal Borough of Kingston has commissioned an Area Park These are some of the comments from local people that Surbiton Plan for Tolworth, in collaboration with the General London Hogsmill have come through the early engagement process: Open Space and Authority (GLA) and (TfL). Sutton Cemetery Malden Alexandra Manor This newspaper is a collection of ideas about Tolworth, Park A3 gathered during a series of early engagement events for “Motivate local residents to stay active and healthy and avoid having to drive the Tolworth Area Plan. It includes contributions from local to the next nearest gym. Help reduce congestion and pollution. I am half way residents, historians and community project leaders who Tolworth between The River Club and Tolworth Recreation Centre, both of which are not Soran easily reached by walking. It would be ideal to have a centre nearby that allows provide their opinions, stories and information about local A3 Surbiton Golf Course Hogsmill us to stay active and healthy and build a stronger community.” activities and projects. Nature Reserve

Chessington This collation of ideas has been fed into the development of North the Tolworth Area Plan, which aims to inspire new initiatives Stoneleigh capable of delivering physical, social and economic “I think it would be really great to develop a community centre / hall for Tolworth. We have a fantastic sense of community here but not too improvements in Tolworth. The vision for the future described South Emma many options for convening / holding events / concerts etc.” in the Tolworth Area Plan will help people to understand Horton Park Golf Club Tolworth’s potential development capacity, guide future Ewell West development, provide responses to proposals for large development sites, and inform future business cases for new The Tolworth Area Plan study boundary in context. transport infrastructure. “Swimming pool/leisure centre - this would be a massive boost to the facilities in the area and South area of Kingston and the Ben We will shortly be launching a public consultation on the draft About number 1 wish” Tolworth Area Plan and we want to know what you think. To register for project updates and notification f the consultation Architects and urban designers We Made That have been programe, please visit www.kingstonconversations.co.uk/ appointed to deliver the Tolworth Area Plan. The practice have Tolworth-Area-Plan led a team of urban experts, featuring Regeneris, property “Empty shops are of no benefit to anyone. With reduced rates targetted advisors Aspinall Verdi, planning policy experts Tibbalds and in areas that need it, and support for businesses with community benefit, transport input from Arup. Laurence our high street would offer a greater variety of outlet, better community The Tolworth Area Plan will contain: facilities and fewer boarded up shop fronts.” Viv Evans, Head of Planning and Regeneration at the Royal • a review of Tolworth as it is today Borough of , said: • a vision which Tolworth should aspire to “As well as providing guidance for future developments it • a set of guiding principles to achieve this vision (Tolworth Area Plan) will set out a comprehensive regeneration “Connect the Tolworth greenway to King Charles road to make • opportunities for development and improvement in the strategy, building on its strengths whilst identifying areas for it easier for cyclists to access and sort out the bumpy surface” Tamsin short, medium and long term improvement within Tolworth. The Council will be taking this • a transformation framework that sets out potential routes opportunity to engage with the local community including to realising these opportunities and achieving the agreed residents, businesses and developers to get their views on future vision what makes Tolworth unique, and what changes they would “Planting many more trees may help - re introducing the tree line • a summary of how public engagement has informed the like to see as part of this exciting project.” boulevard for stretches of the A 3 may also help. Introducing some low Tolworth Area Plan emission regulations on local businesses too, especially the new ones The Tolworth Observer is a newspaper, which will inform local David being attracted into the area. Improve the bus connections, and find residents and businesses about the Tolworth Area Plan and some Green space in the centre of Tolworth to create a community space associated events. George Newton, an MA graphic design away from the main road.” The aims of the Tolworth Area Plan are: student at , has designed the newspaper.

• to present a vision for Tolworth’s future © All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted • to identify areas for strategic intervention by the council, in any form or by any means without prior permission in writing from the editors. “Protect the bowling alley from being lost to housing. Maybe Authority (GLA), Transport for London Every possible effort has been made to locate and credit copyright holders of the encourage redevelopment to improve and include other leisure Ian (TfL) and other partners material reproduced in this publication. The views expressed in this paper are those facilities. Cinema?” • to identify opportunities for change, development and of the individual authors and do not represent opinions of the editors or funders of improvement in the short, medium and long term the project. • to present ideas that illustrate how Tolworth’s existing assets and structures can be strengthened “If we are to develop Tolworth it is worth considering the traffic flow as • to inform the emerging Royal Borough of Kingston upon Charles there will be more traffic as we build more houses and will attract more Thames Local Plan people move in into this area.” 4 Tolworth Observer OCTOber 2017 OCTOber 2017 Tolworth Observer 5

…Continued from Page 1

The railway came early, and the enclosure of common land 1855-1965 1963 1986-2000 2000 2011 Tolworth is part of the municipal borough of London Government Act. Responsibilities of Formation of the Localism Act around here came late. And we were in the middle of an awful Surbiton, which is located within the County Creation of the Greater London Council GLC divided between Greater London of Surrey. (GLC) (abolished in 1986). Tolworth is central government, Authority 2012 lot of common land at 1900: Tolworth Common, Kingston integrated within Greater and new Kingston Core Strategy Common and Surbiton Common were all around us. Tolworth london-wide bodies did not really benefit from the enclosures – we did not have the investment in modern farming that some parts of had.

It was too late for that. 1927 Opening of the Kingston By-Pass that better connects Tolworth and provides a new Instead, what we had in Tolworth by then, and for a couple of location for commercial hundred years before, was absentee landlords – of the manor, development. 1968 The Toby Jug pub opens as a music venue. David until it disappeared, and of our big farms. Some really impor- 1920-1935 Period of major road Bowie kicks off the Ziggy Stardust tour in 1972. The pub and house building on previous was demolished in the early 2000s tant families, like the Evelyns. By the time that the land was farm and common land. “enclosed” and allocated to landowners, it was these big absen- tees who mostly profited – the Polhill family was the important 1934 Opening of the Odeon Cinema one between 1820 and 1860. on the site of what is now the Tolworth Tower. 1969 Tolworth Hospital, historically an isolation hospital for infectious diseases becomes a general hospital. It is today mainly a mental health hospital servicing South The development after enclosure and then the coming of the 1936 Opening of Tolworth West London railway to Surbiton and then the establishment of St. Matthew’s Broadway; 57 shops built with residential units above. Church made us more and more of an adjunct to our northern neighbours. And then, what seems now to be a cruel 1978 Opening of Tolworth Recreation Centre. 1938 Opening of Tolworth Station. slice across our town, severing north from south: the Kingston By-pass came in 1927; later sunk into an underpass, and now the A3 trunk-road. 2010 and Pre-1930s 1927 1935 1950 1958 1963 1968 1978 1991 2003 onwards The centre of our town is still in the same place as it always was: around the Broadway. Now we have another church, St. George’s, with a hall and land, just by the centre of our town. Prior to the 1930s, Tolworth remains a primarily 2010 Tolworth agricultural area, with dairy farming as a main 1963 Opening of the Tolworth Tower Regeneration strategy It would be a wonderful “repair” of history and continuity if we activity. designed by . could build that into a thriving centre again, not sliced about by 2013 The Greenway put in motor vehicles, but a place to gather and “be” the town. 1963 Under the Greater London Council, the place in Tolworth town Centre. boroughs of Kingston, Malden & Coombe, and Perhaps, so many years after changed Variety of sites awaiting Surbiton (which includes Tolworth) become the redevelopment in Tolworth our history, we can resume the development of Tolworth as a new Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames. thriving community, as a town; or at least a suburb in its own right. 1958 Construction of Our Lady Immaculate church completed. You can purchase a copy of The Story of Tolworth, by Pat Ward with Bob Phillips, 2003 Radio Jackie acquires licensing and moves into Tolworth studios. Broomfield Press, 2015, for £8.50 Email [email protected], or visit the 1961 Odeon Cinema demolished to make way for History Centre in Kingston’s Guildhall or at Tolworth Community Library, in Ewell Tolworth Tower. 2005 Opening of Travelodge inside the Tolworth Tower. Road, both of which keep copies in stock. 1950 Toby Jug building is host to government offices of Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Agriculture. 1991 Relaunch of Tolworth Tower Government employment on the site diminished after its refurbishment. until closure in 1971.

Tolworth does have a rich cultural heritage of music, sports and leisure, which could offer ingredients to define ‘Tolworth- ness’ and opportunity for future change. This includes a unique history of local football culture established by the Corinthian Casuals Football Club, who are known worldwide for their historic connection with the successful Brazilian team Corinthian Paulista, as well as a range of popular leisure uses.

The cultural timeline above illustrates key recent historical events that either played a significant part in the development of Tolworth or contributed to its cultural identity. This ranges from the introduction of Tolworth Tower in 1963 to David Bowie launching his Ziggy Stardust tour in the Toby Jug pub in1972. 6 Tolworth Observer OCTOber 2017 OCTOber 2017 Tolworth Observer 7

What you’ve told us so far

A summary of the feedback received during the early engagement events.

RReded LionLion RoadRoad is NNewew street furniture 30 minutes free IIss there a town centre? BBroadway/Ewellroadway/Ewell RRoadoad HHeadmasterseadmasters Academy BBroadwayroadway needs SSunrayunray is surrounded dangerous and busy, is not well used -a parking has been a real junction at EEssosso attracts a lot of young zebra crossings! by barriers (road, owing to big lorries the volume of traffic success - increasing Garage is unsafe people to BBroadwayroadway UUncontrolledncontrolled crossings rail and river), but we from the industrial makes sitting outside this to 2 hours would particularly as children taking hairdressing are dangerous residents like this area and has an impact unappealing be even better are frequently crossing courses upon the residential at this point community IIncreasencrease in buy to let has been dramatic - it’s now a transient population and NNeedeed more A3 crossings community spirit has been eroded

SSchoolschools create a lot of Hogsmill pedestrian traffic Open Space An indoor facility is needed, this side of the borough currently lacks a sports centre Ewell A significant amount Road of employment space A3 has already been lost owing to permitted I didn’t know Kingston development rights UUniversityniversity SSportsports Tolworth Ground was here! Red Lion Broadway Road Tolworth Hospital I worked in SSomeome student housing CChessingtonhessington EEstatestate Tolworth and sports could be a before I lived in positive outcome Tolworth and I did not Station know it was in Tolworth! Red Lion Riverhill Business Park Kingston University Estate Kingston UUniversityniversity Sports Ground A3 SSportsports Grounds are There could be well used by local more space for cricket and football small business and clubs seven days a week workshops King George’s A240 Field CCouldould there be more CCouldould there be a public access here? bus connection from CChessingtonhessington IIndustrialndustrial EEstatestate to Tolworth SStation?tation? Chessington Industrial EEntrancesntrances to the Estate (SIL) open space could be Hogsmill Nature improved Reserve HHardard paths would ruin the open space

NNowhereowhere for visitors to park cars – mainly used by locals as a consequence Parks are an opportunity for training young locals

A Tolworth Park could be a regional asset - it’s a great opportunity HHowow can people in The SStationtation needs to to develop a distinctive The HHogsmillogsmill RRiveriver is King George’s Gate be improved - this Trains remain identity for Tolworth an asset linking the safely get to Knollmead could be done with a stationary for a long The Greenway works in - WillenWillen LakeLake Milton area all the way to Primary School?School? WhereWhere new coat of paint and period and are very improving connections, The severance the A3 Keynes provides a SSurreyurrey will they shop? some planting noisy particularly for cyclists creates must be solved useful example 8 Tolworth Observer OCTOber 2017 OCTOber 2017 Tolworth Observer 9

SHEDx project by Robin Hutchinson, The Community Brain

The Community Brain is going to launch a suburban farming project to try to ensure that any new or existing ‘public space’ in the Tolworth has potential to generate food and community activity for the local area. We recently took over the abandoned Tolworth Allotments Society building and surroundings with the aim of helping our local communities to explore suburban farming, learn food growing, and build productive, sustainable sources of locally produced food.

Tolworth faces a period of significant regeneration with 2, major planning applications and ambitions for the A3, which are bringing a new focus on this previously overlooked part of the borough. We want the local community Tolworth treasure and not just developers to feel the benefits. by Lucy Furlong, local resident The little-known but fascinating, rural history of Tolworth belies its current, neglected suburban feel. Tolworth Court Farm, for What kind of future plan should Tolworth have? I would like example, has medieval origins and is still visible in the area. to see a commitment to keep and manage its green spaces The allotments of Tolworth played a vital role in growing food sensitively – because they are what make Tolworth special. for local people for over 100 years but little is known or documented about their heritage and impact on the I was shocked to hear Tolworth referred to as a ‘ghetto’ by community. How many people know that the voice of the World staff and students at Kingston University while I was studying War II campaign ‘Dig for Victory’ was Cecil Henry Middleton, there. It is one of the oldest parts of the Borough - with ancient more commonly known as Mr Middleton, who lived in Surbiton and deep historical roots. There are the remains of a medieval and was the first in our long line of British celebrity gardeners. moated manor at Tolworth Court, where Kingston Biodiversity Network holds open days. Tolworth Court Farm Fields is a We don't just want to develop a suburban farm along wonderful wild treasure, which should stay that way. traditional lines, we want to move towards establishing an aquaponics centre to further promote food production and Alison Fure, a local ecologist, has been taking people on Apple reduce food footprint. We’ve already had fruitful conversations Walks, fascinating insights into the history of orchards and fruit with the council and a number of interested parties in the area growing in this part of the borough. This includes the Tolworth who are excited about the prospect of such approaches and Apple Store, an important piece of local heritage, which she is want to offer support, and share their skills and passions. campaigning to protect. We want help to identify other areas that we can use to give On the borders of Tolworth is the Hogsmill Valley, where Millais people the chance to plant and grow – it doesn’t matter how painted the backdrop to his painting , something small. I have written about in my poetry map, Over the Fields, an exploration of four generations of my family’s relationship with We will link all this activity to the Community Kitchen we the greenbelt, which is at the end of the Sunray Estate, towards launched in 2016 at the Museum of Futures in Surbiton, to Along with 'feeling safe' and 'people', our annual community Malden Manor. provide the community with opportunities to learn and surveys reveal that what matters most to community is ‘feeling So what will SHEDx do: develop through workshops, demonstrations, advice sessions included’‘community events’ and ‘public spaces’. We hear The other day, on my regular morning run down Old Kingston and research. how people want ‘spaces to breathe’, for ‘public land and • We will repair and rewire the shed to make it suitable for Road, I got to the bridge over the Hogsmill and stopped, to see spaces to be kept public, and better preserved’. And they growing, teaching and demonstrations a flash of iridescent blue zoom downstream: a kingfisher. It’s reveal concern about traffic levels, congestion and pollution in • We will create new raised planters from recycled materials not such a rare sight, if you stop there regularly, and look in the Tolworth. We know that locally produced food, independent for demonstrations and community growing right direction, away from the traffic. business and nurturing talent are key drivers of people's sense • We will trial Aquaponics to prove their potential value to of a community where hospitality and communal eating play a the local community Tolworth is remarkable for its open green spaces, and we significant part in its character. • We will create mobile sheds to put into the community to have a choice now - do we value them, and protect them, help create events to ‘green’ our area recognising them as our lungs and our unique heritage, or do SHEDx our suburban farming project brings all this enthusiasm • We will research the history of allotments in Tolworth to we lose them and become more urban, more polluted and a lot and insight together. It’s about productively greening the area, help remind us of our rich past less interesting? giving it a real positive local narrative that not only picks up • We will work with Kingston University to help vision what on a half-remembered past but also projects it into an exciting the future of allotments and sheds might be Lucy Furlong grew up in Tolworth. She is a widely published writer, teacher and and optimistic future, making every space a potential resource, • We hope local schools will take the Suburban Farming walking artist. Her poetry map, about the local green space, Over the Fields, was however small, public or private. Not only for now, but for future project into school grounds published in 2015. www.lucyfurlong.com generations. Let's 'Grow for Good' together. 10 Tolworth Observer OCTOber 2017 OCTOber 2017 Tolworth Observer 11 A vision for Tolworth Guiding principles

In order to shape a plan for Tolworth we have developed To achieve the vision the following guiding principles have a vision that we think Tolworth should aspire to. been developed. Let us know what you think.

Tolworth will be an accessible and well-connected place, known for its quality of life, community, and distinct role within the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames.

The quality and diversity of Tolworth’s leisure Guiding principle 1: Guiding principle 2: GUIDING PRINCIPLE 3: and recreational offer will be known across the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and south Support regeneration Build a strong local high Make the most of opportunities street and wider economies green assets west London. Tolworth Station will offer quick and frequent access to within a If is delivered, Tolworth Tolworth’s retail offer could be Tolworth’s large areas of open space will have faster, more frequent strengthened with larger retail and are difficult to access in parts and mixed-use district containing shops and places connections to central London and leisure uses. These new opportunities of varying quality. By enhancing the beyond. Alongside a good placemaking could provide expansion space for quality of open space, supporting of work, alongside new homes and public spaces. strategy, these connections can help local businesses, complement social clubs and groups that use open space, promote Tolworth, providing a boost and civic uses, promote Tolworth improving access and providing new The station will be well connected to a busy and to the local economy, increase demand as a district centre, and encourage facilities, more residents could be successful Broadway, which will offer a diversity for space, and make change a viable people to choose to walk or cycle the encouraged to use local open space, proposition. short distance to shops and services. enhancing their quality of life. of shops, services and civic uses. A family friendly evening economy will re-enliven Tolworth’s rich history of entertainment.

The A3 will no longer divide the town. Tolworth will also benefit from new pedestrian, cycle and bus routes that make it easy for workers at the successful Chessington and Red Lion industrial estates to make frequent use of local shops and social venues. Facilities at the Kingston University sports ground will complement the Hogsmill Guiding principle 4: GUIDING PRINCIPLE 5: GUIDING PRINCIPLE 6: Nature Reserve, open spaces and healthy streets. Encourage low Connect Promote Open spaces will be easy to reach for all, with emission transport Tolworth local identity people often taking advantage of the rest of Improved cycle and pedestrian The A3 and railway are a barrier Despite its history and assets, Tolworth’s Tolworth when they visit. connections across Tolworth and between the north and south of contemporary identity is undefined beyond could contribute towards Tolworth. Overcoming these could and unclear. The Area Plan could healthier streets, a happier place, and make green spaces, Tolworth Railway build on local strengths and history to place more businesses and services Station, and Chessington Industrial promote a distinct identity which new within reach. Estate more accessible. development could respond to.

What do you think? We have compiled the draft Tolworth Area Plan with input from businesses, partners, local Councillors and residents. We hope it reflects a shared vision for a bright future for Tolworth, enabling the area to take advantage of the many opportunities that sustainable and well-managed growth will present. Most of all we want Tolworth to be a great place to live, run a business or work in. Now we really want to hear what YOU think of the draft Tolworth Area Plan.

Tolworth Area Plan public consultation Monday 9 October to Sunday 5 November

For full details go to: www.kingston.gov.uk/TAP