After my earlier post regarding a proposed development of 29 flats, I have just become aware of this new proposal.
This new proposal would place 90 new homes adjacent to the existing West of Waterlooville (WoW) development, which currently has plans for some 2.5K homes.
So another 99 homes is definitely more woe for Waterlooville residents.
I don’t intend to repeat my points from my earlier post. Since the two developments are probably less than a mile apart, my concerns are still the same.
This is just the latest in a series of proposals for developments in the centre of Waterlooville.
Once again, the focus is on residential rather than the commercial aspects of the town. Our town centre is slowly decomposing but nothing is being done to reverse the trend.
We need the town centre to become a viable commercial centre with traders offering various goods and services where our already increasing resident population can go to spend their earnings. We already have a surfeit of hair salons, nail bars and charity shops. Although some of the charity shops have closed.
Havant Borough Council (HBC) have subdivided the town by pedestrianising the centre, diverting the A3, and promoting “out of town” style shopping to the west. Free parking there, but still parking charges in town. All contributing to the isolation of the centre. They, HBC, have also used the same strategy in Havant. Just take a look at the traffic chaos that has created.
Apparently, eight parking spaces is deemed adequate for twenty nine residences.
I’d like to know where these new residents will be working to earn the money to pay their new mortgages. Where are the jobs ? Yes, many could be working from home. But, what about those who can’t. Waterlooville has direct bus services to Portsmouth, and obviously, destinations further afield are possible with changes. Similarly, rail travel is feasible for a commute to other destinations, but you have to get to the nearest railway stations in Cosham, Havant, and Petersfield. Not everyone is going to want to clamber onto a bicycle. Clearly, the most convenient mode of transport is by car, but with nowhere to park when you get home ? And what about visitor parking ?
I know, we are supposed to be giving up reliance on our cars. But, really, the infrastructure isn’t there to match the convenience of door to door.
The News article also cites the impact to local medical services. Appointments to actually see a doctor are rarer than rocking horse poo. And just try and sign up to a dental clinic.
Over the years, we have been promised changes that would create jobs, provide social and entertainment opportunities.
Where is the 60 room Hotel on the old BAE site ?
We were told categorically there would not be a McDonald’s on that same site.
So far, we have no hotel and none of the jobs that would have created. But we got a McDonald’s !!!
Similarly, we were told there would be a hotel and conference centre on the Dunsbury Park development. No sign of that or the associated jobs either.
The modified road system has provided a play area for the local petrol heads to hoon about on. But that’s the subject of a different post.
Bowling and cinema complexes have been mooted, but nothing happens. “They” say Waterloovilles’ population (approx 66k) can’t sustain these businesses. So, if we want to bowl or see movies, we have to travel to Portsmouth (10 miles), Whiteley (16 miles), or Chichester (15 miles). That’s not exactly carbon friendly.
It’s time HBC stood up and did something for the existing Waterlooville residents. Force the developers to include the provision of additional services and facilities. How about increasing local taxes on the landlords who allow their properties to remain empty. Might make them reduce the rents, attract new businesses.
Waterlooville, town centre is ripe. Come on HBC, do something really radical. Make Waterlooville somewhere people want to visit.
Bit of a mixed day today. Hot enough, 27°C in the conservatory, so I have the bifolds wide open. Windy, with very strong gusts. Two washes on the line to take advantage of the wind. A third wash in the machine and the basket is empty. A good day’s work.
I saw this on Facebook Marketplace.
I thought that acoustic by definition was without amplification !!!
It was my birthday recently. My daughter took me out for a birthday meal. This little fella appeared during the meal, then followed me home. He has now taken up residence on our deck !!!
As the title says, this is a quiet place. Gerry loves to spread the seat with cushions and settle down with her latest book.
Although I built the deck, assembled the seat, and planted the pots and tubs, I don’t get a look in.
It is, after all, her Quiet Place
I guess that really isn’t the point. The point is that Gerry enjoys it. Surrounded by antirrhinum, petunia, geranium, and Begonia flowers. And that is good enough for me.
Since 2020 / 2021 we, my wife and I, have become increasingly aware of the thoughtless, brain-dead, morons tear-arsing on our roads.
We live near a motorway interchange, with nice new tarmac on the feed roads. This is a magnet for these low-lives who see the feeder roads as their own personal race track.
Since the tarmac was laid, the wannabe racing drivers can be heard screeching their way around the curves. Sitting in our home, we find ourselves tensing up, waiting for the inevitable crash. Not only that, but I personally find, much to my shame, I am willing it to happen. Not that I want any harm to come to the drivers. But I want it to reach them a lesson. And, I want it to deprive them of their wheels.
Then, mixed in with the drifters are the worst of them all. The ones with the modified fuel and exhaust systems.
These jerks are just out to make noise, deliberately changing down through the gears to hit the higher revs. We have to put up with everything from a rapid crackle, rather like machine gun fire, thru staccato pops and bangs, to angry hornets. On some occasions, it has sounded like the vehicle is actually in the room with me.
I guess I should point out that this problem is not just applicable to cars, but motorcycles too.
I would guess that every day, we have at least a dozen instances of this antisocial behaviour. At all times of day or night. One particular arsehole regularly delights in driving past at around 02:00 in the morning. His exhaust echoing through the quiet of the night can be heard for quite some time as he disappears into the distance.
I’m pretty sure these folks have a “circuit” they have for some kind of speed trial. We will hear a single bike come past and then return to head up the motorway. A minute or two later, there will be another bike, following the same pattern. When they hit the motorway, they are obviously going flat out, and they can be heard for miles. We just need the police to catch them in the act.
This afternoon, there seem to be fewer hoons in our area. It may have something to do with the police helicopter, which has made several passes in the last hour or so. I hope the police are actively chasing down these idiots.
But, I am a realist. The police can only devote so much time and resources to this problem.
The vehicles are clearly not legal and the style of driving by some individuals is patently outright dangerous.
On social media, supporters of these idiots say, “Leave them alone, they are only enjoying themselves”, “Weren’t you young once ?”, “Why doesn’t the government provide places for them to do what they do ?
When I have suggested that they try the track days at various racing circuits in this country, they cite the costs. But I believe its also that the circuits are regulated, have stringent safety standards and also have to limit noise levels.
I wouldn’t want anyone to think I am an old fuddy daddy killjoy. I am a motorsport fan. A regular visitor to Goodwood for the FoS, Revival, Members Meetings, and the Sunday Breakfast Clubs. I’ve also driven Formula Ford cars around Brands Hatch and been to F1 at Silverstone. I also, regularly, attend classic and custom car shows.
So I understand and appreciate the time and effort that goes into creating and maintaining these machines.
However, as much as I love the sights, smells, and sounds of a perfectly tuned race car, I don’t want it in my home.
If I choose to crank up my HiFi or my TV to listen to some classic rock or watch F1 on a Sunday ….. That’s my choice.
These antisocial cretins are not giving me a choice
A little bit of fun had these two little guys chilling out.
WrAnTz 