Esher Residents Association

06/05/2026

Cllr Simon Waugh has served Esher for 14 years. Since he's running for election this May, someone takes the educated decision to deface his front gates. Who is behind this? Should you have any evidence (two people wearing balaclavas on an electric scooter, 11 pm last night) please let Surrey Police know.

This is not the first time a candidate has suffered this kind of disgraceful treatment. Our sympathies go out to Simon and his family.

03/05/2026

Wonder what the driving force behind our two candidates is? Do watch this. All parties claim that they will protect the Green Belt, but they don't when it comes to the Planning Committee. Hersham candidate Simon Leifer and Esher, Claygate and N Oxshott candidate Simon Waugh know its value and believe it's worth fighting for.

1 like. "Greenbelt promise from Leifer and Waugh May 2026"

30/04/2026

Mill Road Application withdrawn!
We think this is very good news. Elmbridge BC has heard the loud voices from residents and your ERA Councillors and acted...

Application to update some existing planning conditions for the Mill Road Depot

18/04/2026

Elections 2026 - Meet Your Local Candidates: Simon Waugh and Simon Leifer
The local elections for the new unitary council of East Surrey are taking place next month on 7 May. This will replace the current Surrey County Council and Elmbridge Borough Council.

Local democracy has never been under such threat as it is now with less representation for residents and greater power being taken by Westminster. The importance of independent and resident associations candidates cannot be overstated. These are people who really care about the areas they represent and do not have to follow national party political edicts.

Simon Waugh and Simon Leifer are standing respectively as independents, endorsed by the Esher Residents Association and other Elmbridge Residents Associations, for the new wards of:
- Esher, Claygate and North - Simon Waugh
- Hersham / Simon Leifer

See https://esher-residents.com/ for more information

The local elections for the new unitary council of East Surrey are taking place next month on 7 May. This will replace the current Surrey County Council and Elmbridge Borough Council. Local democracy has never been under such threat as it is now with less representation for residents and greater pow...

13/04/2026

Very soon, these little beauties will be appearing in Hersham. We are backing Cllr Simon Leifer who is standing as an independent candidate for the new Hersham Ward of the new East Surrey Council. He's been working hard in Hersham during his year as a councillor, fighting both the Golf Club application and playing a significant role in stopping the hated development of the shopping centre.

Vote for him if you want to protect our Green Belt. Some candidates say they will protect the Green Belt, but at Council meetings, they don't. ERA has never voted for building on Green Belt land.

12/04/2026

Coming to a wall and letterbox near you. We support Cllr Simon Waugh, standing as an independent candidate for the new Esher, Claygate and North Oxshott Ward of the new East Surrey Council. Vote for him if you want to protect our Green Belt. Some candidates say they will protect the Green Belt, but at Council meetings, they don't. ERA has never voted for building on Green Belt land.

12/02/2026

Another traffic hold up! Mole Bridge closes for four days of investigation.

Just when you thought the traffic couldn’t possibly get worse…

If your journey uses Mole Bridge on Esher Road, you’ll need to plan ahead. The bridge will be closed from 8am to 5pm on 16, 17, 18 and 19 February.

The small mercy? It’s half term 🙂.

The closure is to allow essential investigations ahead of the replacement of the much-loved (but undeniably tired) bridge, which is around 130 years old and nearing the end of its working life. The full rebuild is currently scheduled for 2027/28.

Think of next week as a preview — when the bridge is replaced, closures will be in place for several months.

Photo credit: Surrey Live

11/02/2026

Moore Place Golf Course planning application has 230+ objections

Plans to build over much treasured green space is deeply unpopular amongst local residents - DEADLINE TO OBJECT IS 15th FEBRUARY

We have received many emails about this application and its implications for the Green Belt. Like most of those who have approached us, the ERA opposes the proposals, as it has a long-standing and unwavering commitment to protecting the Green Belt and our green spaces.

Please note: Our councillors are ex officio members of the ERA. If they sit on the Planning Committee when this application is considered, they are legally required to approach the matter with an open mind. They may only form a view after hearing and considering all the evidence and arguments presented at the meeting.

You can read the application, see plans and review the comments of fellow residents here:
https://tinyurl.com/zpurk2xc

Should you wish to object to the application, you can find guidelines on reasons to object and how to submit your objection here: https://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/planning/find-or-comment-planning-application. There is also a local website which has more advice on how to submit an objection https://www.mooreplace.uk/objection-guidance

05/02/2026

Good News for Hersham: Waitrose secures Hersham shop with acquisition of Hersham Green Shopping Centre.

This is welcome relief for Hersham residents who fought very hard against the previous owner’s development plans - firmly rejected by Elmbridge BCs Planning Committee.

Members of the Esher Residents Association played a key role in supporting the campaign against that scheme.

Waitrose today announced that it has completed its acquisition of the freehold of Hersham Green Shopping Centre in Surrey. This secures the future of the much-loved Hersham Waitrose, which has been an integral part of the shopping centre and local community for twenty years.

As the new owner of the 54,000 sq. ft. centre, Waitrose will also become the landlord for the 16 additional retail units on site, while continuing to provide essential parking for the shopping centre and wider village.

Branch Manager, Barry Spencer, said: “We are pleased to have secured the future of our Hersham store. This acquisition reflects our long-term commitment to the town and provides certainty for our customers and our Partners, who work hard to serve the local community. We have been part of Hersham for two decades, and we look forward to playing a role in the town’s continued success for many years to come.”

The 27,000 sq. ft. Waitrose store is a key hub for the village, offering full-service meat, fish, and deli counters, a Sushi Daily counter and a dedicated John Lewis Click & Collect point. The shop also provides home delivery services via Deliveroo, Just Eat and UberEats.

Beyond retail, the branch remains active in local outreach. Through the Waitrose Community Matters programme, the store donates £12,000 annually to local causes. In January, customers voted to support Sight For Surrey, Walton Stroke Club and Elmbridge Eco Hub. The store also maintains a surplus food partnership with FareShare and the Trussell Trust and provides work experience opportunities for local students.

Nationwide Investment

The acquisition represents a strategic commitment to securing Waitrose’s physical presence in key locations. This complements a wider £1bn, multi-year investment in the Waitrose estate which saw 23 shops transformed in 2025 - including nearby Weybridge and Oxted. This continues into 2026, and includes the multi-million-pound transformation of Waitrose Haslemere, which reopens on 5 March.

22/01/2026

Highwayman's Cottage car park will be closed for resurfacing between the 4th – 6th February.
Other option are available: Berguette car park on Claremont Lane, Heather Place car park (always a bit if a squeeze) and the Civic Centre car park.