More profiteering and no concerns for Waterlooville or its residents.
90 Dwellings – Official
Tag: Development
Less WoW More Woe
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.
Do We Need This ?
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.
West of Waterlooville Forum Friday 22nd November 2013
If, per their drawings and graphics, they actually create the variety of tasteful properties promised. If the legacy they leave us with is a new residential site with a bit of style, instead of the typically boring and uniform boxes which has become the norm. Then I for one am for this development.
It’s a shame that the initial West of Waterlooville development by Taylor Wimpey at “Wellington Park” (Dukes Meadow, Old Park Farm) off the Hambledon Road is so awful. My observations, so far, of the Wellington Park development are that it is overcrowded and is of a mediocre design. Taking the road around the perimeter, towards the new tip, does not give a very good perspective. The site presents a pretty bland face to Joe Public.
And let’s spare a thought for the folks who had a view across Hambledon Road, across open fields and up the back of Portsdown Hill. They certainly have not been presented with a sympathetic replacement for that marvellous view. Rather they have had multistory apartments built directly in front of them. The equivalent of the developers, the planners and the architects presenting the home owners with a corporate middle finger.
I do hope that Phase 2 of Berewood is handled with a bit more sensitivity.
For those who could not attend the forum I’ve attached the presentation given by Redrow Homes for Phase 2 of the Berewood Site
Spurlings, Wellbourne, Swansdell – You Choose
Coming to the countryside near you….. yes a new village / town. And you too can get involved in the naming of this new community.
The local authority has whittled the list down to just three. I have to say that none of the choices are particularly awe-inspiring. They all have some historical linkage to a bygone era. It’s a shame that they the new construction is unlikely to “visually” hark back to those times.
It’s a shame that the people of the general public weren’t involved in the original list compilation. I for one would love to have seen what Joe P. would have suggested. Anyway, here are the choices put forward by the authorities….
Researchers have gone through Ordnance Survey maps and used the museum’s archives to pick out three names of historic value to the area.
Each of the three names has a close historical connection with the land to the north of Fareham.
The names to choose from are:
- Spurlings: Marked on the 1879 Ordnance Survey map. In 1841 it was occupied by Charles Osborn, who developed the Victorian villas along Osborn Road. Today, there is a Spurlings Road north of the M27 at Junction 11.
- Swansdell: Also marked on the 1879 Ordnance Survey map, Swans Dell Cottage was occupied in 1841 by the gamekeeper of Roche Court and labourer John Stares.
- Welborne: Relating to fields immediately north of Kiln Road and south of Kneller Court, the land named Welborne was occupied by John Budd at the time of the tithe map. The land was owned as part of Fareham Manor by the Gardiner family of Roche Court.
Mind you I think they missed out on a couple of alternatives based on the historical notes for the last one. Here are my thoughts.
According to the Tithe Map the land was occupied by one John Budd. So I thought perhaps Budds Farm would have been appropriate, then I realised that the name was taken …. by the local sewage farm. Another alternative, what with the Gardiner family name linked to the land, would have been Gardiners World !!! Oh well I guess not.
Now we know why Joe P. wasn’t asked to contribute suggested names. There are too many people out there that think like me.
Anyway, if you want to throw in your thee penneth and vote for one of the above options, here’s how.
HOW YOU CAN VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE
There are a number of ways for people to get involved and vote for their favourite name.
Go to fareham.gov.uk or visit the Civic Offices and vote using tokens.
On Friday we will be printing a voting slip in The News, so that you can fill in and send back to make your voice heard.
Voting opens on Friday, February 1 and closes on Sunday, March 31.
The name with the most votes will be announced at the council’s executive meeting on Monday, April 15.
Have your say – it’s finally time to name new town – Politics – Portsmouth News.
End of era as Havant’s last greengrocer shuts
Although reasons for this closure cannot necessarily be laid at the door of HBC, they are not helping the situation
David Guest, deputy leader of Havant Borough Council and ward member for St Faith’s, said: ‘Hopefully we have not lost it and they are able to relocate.
‘A lot of people enjoyed that shop and I’m very sorry to see it go.’
He said that independent shops were an important part of Havant.
So important that the HBC is intent on dragging shoppers away from the town centre by allowing huge developments across the other side of Park Road in the Solent Road area.
‘It’s nice for people to have a choice,’ he said.
‘As long as people use these independent shops, they will survive.
How many people have stopped using the independent stores in Havant centre since the Tesco store opened ? From personal experience I know that I don’t tend to go to smaller stores if I am doing my weekly shop in a supermarket. We are all so busy that it is more convenient to “one stop shop”.
‘There’s no guarantee they will stay around.
‘We just want to encourage more people to open small shops.’
If you want more people to open small shops then you shouldn’t allow the big stores to open up so close to the town centres.
HBC, haven’t you learnt anything ?
And you are doing the same thing to Waterlooville by allowing the new Sainsbury store to open up outside of the town centre. There is no incentive to anyone to open small shops in either of these town centres.
I feel sorry for John Wills and his family. It will be difficult for him to relocate and keep his current customers,to start afresh and build a customer base under the current economic climate and with the lack of true support from HBC. I wish him the best of luck for the future.
End of era as Havant’s last greengrocer shuts – Local Business – Portsmouth News.
Lets Scratch The Scratchface Lane Development
I wish the Bedhampton campaigners the best of luck this evening.
A meeting should be underway right now, to discuss the building of 92 homes on this controversial development. This land is adjacent to the A3M.
This proposed development makes no sense and has already been refused before, back in 2011, because of fears about the noise levels from the motorway.
The only folks that will benefit from this development are the developers themselves, Crayfern Homes.
All councillors will vote on Bedhampton estate plans – Environment – Portsmouth News.
West Of Waterlooville
The proliferation of houses moves on apace. Moving ahead of and despite the lack of jobs for the future residents.
Taylor Wimpey are starting to prepare for their Phase 3 and 4 build outs. Next week, they will be felling a few trees that they are permitted to remove. Trees will be checked by an ecologist for recent evidence of bats, and appropriate steps taken if necessary, although all trees were checked not long ago.
Tomorrow, there will be a walk through of the Western Open Space, in preparation for any planting or other action required.
Grainger PLC announced at the West of waterlooville Forum that they are now a Registered Provider for social housing. The RP will be a subsidiary entity to Grainger plc. It will enable Grainger to retain greater control over the management of the affordable homes within its development pipeline over the coming years through the RP, providing greater community building capabilities
The Wreckers Move In
Following the arson attack, which hammered home the final nail in the derelict buildings coffin, demolition teams have moved in to start work on The Curzon Rooms. One time cinema and function rooms this building has been an eyesore for well over a decade.
The fire has finally triggered some action. Various plans for the site have been proposed but none have made it from the drawing board into reality. The building has been classified as dangerous and is being demolished. The work is scheduled to take about a month and permission has been given for the site to be turned into a car park.
Presumably this will bring in some revenue for the owners but will not do much to inject some life into the town as a shopping centre. The expectation was that this site would be developed into both retail and residential premises to instill a bit of life into Waterlooville.
A car park is hardly the result that Waterlooville residents would have hoped for. Does this mean that plans for flats and shops will now go on hold indefinitely ?
It’s the end for old cinema as wreckers start – Environment – Portsmouth News.
My Condolences To The Bartons Farm Protesters
A few days ago protesters lost their fight to prevent the building of new homes on a site just outside of Winchester. The Government has approved the building of over 2,000 homes at Barton Farm on the edge of the city. Campaigners have been fighting for over 15 years to prevent this decision.
This decision echoes that which has allowed the West of Waterlooville development to go ahead despite local opposition.
I note that the Winchester protesters concerns very much mirror mirror my own with regard to the loss of countryside, lack of infrastructure to support the additional housing, traffic and load on utilities. Once again the developers and planners are citing the additional jobs that the development will generate.
For Bartons Farm the developers are claiming generation of 8000 jobs ???
One can only assume that they are talking about temporary jobs for the construction workers. Once the development is completed will these jobs still be available. I don’t think so.
Strangest comment comes from Mike Emett, director of Cala Homes.
On traffic Mr Emett said the 2,000 homes would reduce the congestion because fewer people would need to drive into Winchester from Eastleigh and Southampton.
Does he assume that existing Eastleigh and Southampton based work force will all up sticks and move to Bartons Farm or perhaps that they will give up their jobs, hand them over to local workers who are the new residents of this development.
It really is bizarre to suggest that an additional 2000 houses will reduce traffic congestion. Time will tell.
My condolences to the residents of Winchester and to the protesters.
WrAnTz 