A ‘blank canvas’ in Epsom town centre could receive a makeover with a new canopy structure, seating, newly planted trees and a mural, if approved by the council’s planning committee.
Plans to renovate Derby Square in Epsom High Street and to rename the area ‘Epsom Square’ were lodged with Epsom and Ewell Borough Council in March, and a decision on the application could be made later this month.
The borough’s town centres manager believes with the right investment, Derby Square – the area outside the Ebbisham Centre – would make Epsom more attractive.
But a group dedicated to planting and preserving trees in the borough oppose the application and argue the felling of one of the trees in Derby Square is “totally unnecessary”.
There are currently four trees on the walk leading up to the Ebbisham Centre from the High Street. If the application is approved in its current form, the tree nearest the High Street would be felled to make way for a sign advertising the newly rebranded ‘Epsom Square’.
Alanna Coombes (pictured above), Town Centre Manager at Epsom and Ewell Borough Council, said: “This is the first big chunk of private sector investment that’s been proposed for Epsom town centre for a while.
“Derby Square is, in some ways, a blank canvas in the centre of town.
“It is one of a number of sites that, with some investment, could make the heart of Epsom more attractive for shoppers, visitors and people who want a fun day out.”
What the renovated and renamed Epsom Square could like. Pic credit: Beyond Communications
Mike Ford has been chairman of the Epsom and Ewell Tree Advisory Board for 22 years.
From June 2013: Tree planted in memory of suffragette who was killed after interrupting Epsom Derby 100 years ago
In the last planting season the group has planted trees at Wallace Fields Primary School and St Martins School and in Nonsuch Park and replaced cherry trees in Fulford Road, West Ewell.
Mr Ford said: “We can’t allow a good healthy tree to be felled for a sign, especially when the sign could be redesigned so that it might miss the tree.
“I commend the new owners for trying to get more people in there, but felling the tree is totally unnecessary and hasn’t been thought through.”
“Keeping trees there would be good for pollution, good for our wildlife and it makes you feel better. I think it will encourage people to visit Epsom.
“We as humans must do the best we can to protect them, plant them and retain them.”
A spokesman for Epsom and Ewell Borough Council advised that the application for Derby Square is likely to be discussed by the council’s planning committee on Thursday, July 21.
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