Re Help save historic chapel, Epsom Guardian, March 7, I am furious about this.  The council are asking local residents to save Horton Chapel at their own expense of time and money! 

We have been working with them for years in this way to save Ewell Court House for the community.  Now when it is looking so beautiful and local people are giving up their weekends to show the public round (because the council have, by their own admission, mismanaged it) they have decided, without consulting us, to let out part of it as private offices. 

They are moving out local groups who use the rooms, reducing the revenue from bookings and increasing the already difficult parking situation (I have seen other office workers on the site abusing the parking regulations).

I hope that anyone thinking of saving Horton Chapel, by their own hard work and money, realises that a few years down the line the council could step in and take it away for commercial use without consultation.  And don't fool yourselves that you'll have an agreement, new council staff coming in don't believe they have to honour them.

I too would like to see Horton Chapel saved for the community, but the present council, who are supposed to represent local residents, don't seem to be aware of the history of their borough and have a very short sighted view of how to make things pay.

Pat Lowe
Via email