Angry residents launch own consultation about listed building plan (From This Is Local London)

Angry residents launch "public consultation" on Ewell Court House plans

7:00am Friday 15th March 2013 in News By Hardeep Matharu

Angry residents are conducting their own "public consultation" into Epsom Council’s plans to rent out part of a listed building to a charity.

Members of the Ewell Court House Residents’ Association (ECHRA) oppose the council’s proposal to rent out the top room of Ewell Court House, in Lakehurst Road, Ewell, for administrative use five days a week.

Don Scott, ECHRA member, said: "We feel the need for some form of public consultation so we have sent out 5,000 leaflets around the Ewell Court area and beyond to residents to ask them for their views on the proposal.

"We will then submit this to the council."

The house is a grade II listed building, which was completed in 1879, and is set in parkland next to a lake. 

It was bought by the council for £5,490 in 1935 - on the basis that it would "secure the property for the use and pleasure of the inhabitants for all time".

Residents fear the council’s proposal will deter people from using the house for weddings and the social clubs which are currently held in the top room.

But the council believes the building is currently under-used and points to the nursery, cafe and library which have been operating from the house successfully for many years without damaging its potential as a wedding venue.

Epsom Council’s leisure committee will decide on the proposal on March 25.