The Knaphillian

A campaign to save this site is being led by Simon de Groot, add your comments and suggestions here....

LAST FEW POSTINGS FROM THE OLD FORUM......

By Soo
I wonder if the council would agree to replacing the present library shutters with more attractive and softer looking ones - they are quite large and look very grim. It would also be nice if they could put a bench in the corner opposite, after first removing the litter bin and cleaning it. It would make a very nice "library corner", especially in the warmer months, with the community aspect of the library, post office and a bakery around it.

By Anon
Council spend more money on their prized much vaunted and expensive library?!
Worth an ask I suppose;)

By Capt.ainkaraoke
Actually, I heard that there was an official plan for seating outside
the new library, but that the person who owns the Post Office objected to it on the grounds that it would probably attract undesirables and youngsters hanging out....... so it did not proceed.... sourced from a reliable and prominent citizen, but that is
all I can say ! .....
What would really improve that area, ( hardly difficult), is some of those tall flower displays I often see....(not in Knaphill !), and maybe
to dream a little, WBC buy the garden of the Anchor pub and complete
the area with a large open piazza ,landscaping and seating, ......after all, it is only occupied by a few smokers at the moment.....
Ah ....but I can dream on, as this is known as town planning, and we
don't do that here, there's no planning, just money. What exactly the council town planners actually do escapes me, perhaps someone could enlighten me ?
Also, does the person who owns the Post Office and library etc. ,also own the walkway areas ? could explain a thing or two ..

By Knaphill
Rumour has it that the council are about to do a U turn and allow planning permission for an occasional market. Is this true and if so, who would run the initiative - are there any takers? - Mal

By Loofah
And where did this rumour come from?!
I'd be VERY happy if it happened! Might even dance a jig.
If the planning permission was in place the I think it would become a very attractive proposition for the organisation that runs farmers markets. They already have details of the site.

By Soo  anon.
I know what you mean about the trashy stuff outside the post office, and I hardly ever see anyone buying any of it! As for the porch, it's already filthy and there are benches nearby anyway. Now that there's a library there, it will be a more frequented area and the understandable fear of trouble-makers congregating that there might have been before, isn't that realistic now. There's the Post Office-cum-general store, the library and a bakery that also sells take-away stuff, then there are the less frequented but equally respectable dry cleaners and financial advisors.

By Surfer  Anon.
See posting on Diana Smith's (SCC councillor) site at:
http://dianasmith.mycouncillor.org.uk/2008/11/21/old-library-building-knaphill/

148 postings       831 views      so far !

The following was sent to Cllr. Melanie Whitehand today .....

Greetings Cllr. Whitehand
     I have heard from the Development Control department that the SCC application
for the Old library site has been granted, ( not that many in Knaphill seem to be aware of much do with the application ) we have not noticed the appearance of any notice at the site....
     WBC state that their minimum requirements to qualify for display at the site are that it be a "major" development. Those I have spoken to are of the view that a proposal which
has aroused so much public interest and debate and involves, for instance,an
underground car park, (something new in the village?), a high density of development,
(implied by the former !), and a highly impacting position, must be a surely be major development.
 When implemented, it brings to an end any community oriented use on a site which has hosted it over many decades and under different owners, the establishment of it as such being marked by the notice boards and benches to the front .....A major change of use ....
     Also, .., to look to  precedent, correct me if I am wrong....we have all seen these notices at relatively small developments, involving, for instance, the addition of an eating area to a pub.......   may I ask exactly what are WBC's criteria for "major" development......
    thank you for your time ....Simon de Groot
 

Just received reply from cllr. Whitehand , saying she has forwarded my mail to the planning dept.

    I also posted on Cllr. Diana Smith's blog at :
http://dianasmith.mycouncillor.org.uk/2008/11/21/old-library-building-knaphill/

    thanks to Surfer for the link .....

It seems like there's now a mexican stand-off regarding the old library site. Last time this happened in Knaphill ; the bulldozers moved in ........

The Immortal One at 10:19AM on Dec 04, 2008

It seems like there's now a mexican stand-off regarding the old library site. Last time this happened in Knaphill ; the bulldozers moved in ........

A hh..... but if you mean like the in the spaggetti westerns, then they have shot themselves in the foot ! .....

     Maybe I am nuts, but is it not obvious that if the SCC had provided adequate library facilities as they did elswhere,

way back in the 60's, we would have had a modern and

probably much admired library on the old site.....now

   Point is, why should Knaphill be treaded badly,and suffer an unwanted development on top of it's traditional community space, just 'cause the SCC failed us earlier ......  looked at another way, if the SCC had

put the money for a potential new Knaphill library in the "kitty" in 1970, after they had spent out in the other areas,

 There would now be approx. £Im available for a new library  ....

or to pay for the existing one,with money left over for a new community building !  

    It seems to me that evidence is building up to confirm that Knaphill is being treated with a degree of contempt, and as an inferior suburb, rather than a pleasant village..... but this attitude will have to change if the planned upper-end developments are going to sell,and residents house values improve......  we are looking at short term gains for the few, versus long term massive losses for the many .......

           Rough justice for Knaphill !

Mmmmmm - Knaphill is a rubbish tip for everyone else's rejects / nutters / prisoners / refugees / immigrants / libarians??? ...... WHAT NEXT? - Flower People? Fairies? Terrorists? Boris Johnson?......

I think Angry should have his own, popular thread, as he is far to entertaining to be wasted on this, supposedly serious, thread .......

     Boris Johnson  hits a spot though, as I feel that if Knaphill had a

powerful character in the form of it's own MAYOR, who really cared, and would stand up for the area, just  think what could be achieved !  .....not

sure if Johnson is our man though......

I think we will have to form some sort of Org. if we are to

get much further with getting use of the site off the ground....

    I have the beginnings of a market poss. and also a summer music  poss. with a few willing participants.....why

not try an online commitee ?..... think it would stand more of

a chance of getting some members ......maybe if we called

it the Knaphill Centre Commitee , then it could also deal with

a few other specific matters relating to the state of the centre as discussed on this forum ......maybe we could even organise some Christmas lights for next year !!!

Ther idea for a committee dot.org type approach was put forward as an idea by this website in June 2007. Unfortunately the move was thwarted by an incompetent press campaign that saw it as a mere alternative to the residents' association rather than an initiative to support it. The KRA by their own admission cannot take on every issue in the village, however, if there is enough positive support The Knaphillian would be prepared to assist you in your quest to gain access for the former library site.   

Perhaps we could set up an on-line petition to kick off the new year!

I have noticed that the hedges have been neatly trimmed at the front of the site, could have been the councils contractors, but if

it was volunteers, then thanks indeed and a very happy new year !

   I have a few ideas , as to the aims of a commitee as ref. above....

 1. Organise and run events on the library site generally

 2. Better floral displays in center

 3. Painting of iron bollards and litter bins

 4.Campaigning for enhancing rather than detracting development in the centre...

I have noticed that the right hand end of the Anchor car park is very little used

and looks a little sparse....what about a joint effort to create something a little

more attractive, maybe with a tree  and some boxes etc.? sure, I am aware that

pubs have no money these days.......any ideas ?

    Yes....it would be interesting to get some idea of how many would be interested in joining such an online committe.....  I would guess that they would need to supply their name and address... though it would be confidential of course.....

Last time I saw those railings outside the co-op they looked

thoroughly depressing and in need of paint.... add them to the

above list !

I am currently looking at a summer "bandstand " music festival idea on the site,as a way of getting something going, and as I have some experience of music events, and I have had some interest from prospective participants...... I am happy to organise this myself.   As regards the other proposals, they are marginal and even more compex to organise, let's see how it goes, if any help or interest from existing groups materialises, in due course, then great.....

Forgot to mention, couple of artists intereted in exhibiting also .....any more out there...?

I understand from the Conservatives site, that Cllr. Whitehand is

proposing that development compensation money be used to purchase the old library site garden frontage.......good to see that

concern is being taken up........I can think of complications in this

plan though as far as the SCC's proposed development is concerned........

captainkaraoke at 10:15AM on Jun 12, 2009

I understand from the Conservatives site, that Cllr. Whitehand is

proposing that development compensation money be used to purchase the old library site garden frontage.......good to see that

concern is being taken up........I can think of complications in this

plan though as far as the SCC's proposed development is concerned........

Any further news on the above?

captainkaraoke at 10:47AM on Feb 24, 2009

Forgot to mention, couple of artists intereted in exhibiting also .....any more out there...?

Hi My son is a designer silversmith and has been trying to get information from Woking BC regarding the site since last summer and was told that a decision would be made in the new year and that they would keep him informed.  Obviously not happened and no luck in getting hold of the relevant person at WBC. 

My son has said that teh library would be a good place for a Craft Centre for local craft people to have a permanent base.  He is looking for somewhere to set up a workshop and he has als had contact very recently from a lady who is a goldsmith adn is also looking to set up locally.

Perhaps a Craft Centre where locals could go and see craft in action and have lessons in various craftmaking skills.  My son already gives ring making lessons which last one day approx 6 hours and they are very popular. 

Perhaps artists displaying and producing works?

Any more thoughts?

The situation as of a little while ago, is that the buildings owners, the SCC,are willing to look at leasing the building for one year intervals,at least until they find a buyer for the site. There is outline planning permission for five flats over retail accomodation with underground parking.  It is estimated (SCC source) that around 35 k pounds would have to be spent to bring the buiding into basic usable condition ie. community use .....

      I feel it possible that if enough interested parties could be involved thereby spreading the costs whilst making maximum use of the site in various ways during ,say,each week, this type of use could work.

  There has been a feeling generally that the KRA would need to put their weight behind any proposal in order for it to stand any chance of success, but such has not been forthcoming. This is probably due to the fact that they were party to the deal with the SCC that old site would sold off in order to pay for the new library.....a deal which seemed like a good idea at the time as new library facilities were desperately needed and long overdue........Simon

captainkaraoke at 09:04PM on Mar 15, 2010

The situation as of a little while ago, is that the buildings owners, the SCC,are willing to look at leasing the building for one year intervals,at least until they find a buyer for the site. There is outline planning permission for five flats over retail accomodation with underground parking.  It is estimated (SCC source) that around 35 k pounds would have to be spent to bring the buiding into basic usable condition ie. community use .....

      I feel it possible that if enough interested parties could be involved thereby spreading the costs whilst making maximum use of the site in various ways during ,say,each week, this type of use could work.

  There has been a feeling generally that the KRA would need to put their weight behind any proposal in order for it to stand any chance of success, but such has not been forthcoming. This is probably due to the fact that they were party to the deal with the SCC that old site would sold off in order to pay for the new library.....a deal which seemed like a good idea at the time as new library facilities were desperately needed and long overdue........Simon

No point - there is no way that a "craft centre" in the centre of Knaphill High Street is going to be a viable solution to the site in the long term.  Anything like that needs long term commitment and these days most people can't or won't commit to that.  You would no doubt have a die hard do gooder who would love to take on a project like that, and I dare say it would attract some local interest initially, but over time, any incentive money would dry up (always does) and people would lose interest as the next best fad will have come along.  Just knock the place down and build some community social housing there for old folk - ideal place to be - right next door to bank and post office, bus stops, local shops and pub and again, it puts life back right in the centre of the community, rather it just being a parade of shops, takeaways and restaurants.