Temp in the conservatory has passed the 40 degC mark.
Temp outside is supposed to be 26 degC right now.
Either is too hot for me
Tag: Hampshire
Serious concerns over Welborne
And well there might be serious concerns over Welborne, the new town to be built north of Fareham.
It doesn’t require expensive surveys to be carried out. It doesn’t require the employment of expensive consultants. Anyone with half an ounce of common sense can see what is going to happen, knows what chaos will descend on this area once those new houses are built. One only has to take a look at the Segensworth area, try travelling through it during peak traffic times.
Once complete, the town, to be named Welborne, will have 6,500 homes, roughly the same amount as Petersfield.
So a town the size of Petersfield will be created just over a kilometer from the town of Fareham. The amount of traffic that the new development will generate on the M27 corridor is truly unknown but it can be guessed at. I guarantee that we will see similar log jams on the new, yet to be built, M27 slip roads, similar to those seen at Segensworth.
The traffic levels around Fareham are already high especially with access to the M27 and also on the road down to Gosport and Lee. Welborne will certainly add significantly to that since the local councillors have indicated that future Welborne residents will also be looking to the new jobs being generated at Daedalus.
Fareham Councillor Sean Woodward is being quite disingenuous when he says of opponents to Welborne …..
‘I’d love to know what their alternative is. It’s easy to say do not build anything, anywhere, but councillors are charged with providing new housing and we have 2,000 families on the waiting list which need housing.
Woodward states that the current need is housing for 2000 families is somewhat less than the 6,500 homes proposed for Welborne.
Planning for future demand is all well and good but its the density of the housing being proposed that is the concern.
Woodward certainly knows the chaos to come because, despite all assurances, the infrastructure will not be in place to support the additional load. The roads, the utilities, the available employment, all will be sadly lacking.
This will be an urban disaster.
Country campaigners raise serious concerns over Welborne – Politics – Portsmouth News.
Just Call 111 – Did You Know ?
According to The News, our local rag, NHS Direct is no more.
But now NHS Direct no longer exists, and people should call the new number if they need health advice, information or if they have a non life-threatening health issue and are not sure where to go for treatment.
So says The News with their headline “NHS Direct switched off as new number kicks in ”
It’s a shame that NHS Direct don’t seem to know, so I’m not on my own in my ignorance. I visited the NHS Direct site earlier today. Not a mention of any different number to call if you happen to live in Hampshire.
Apparently, last month, there was a soft launch of the new NHS number “111”. This new number can be used to call for fast medical help and has “gone live” across Hampshire.
The free number is staffed by a team of advisers, supported by trained paramedics and nurses, who will assess the caller’s symptoms, provide relevant advice and direct them to the right local service at that time. It is hoped pressure will be taken off 999.
I thought that was what NHS Direct was supposed to do. How is this parallel service going to help take the load off the emergency 999 service ?
In trawling the net I have found out that the 111 number has been the subject of debate for some time but am I the only person in the country who is unaware that this change is actually upon us ?
Even The News has only given it minimal prominence.
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.
Snow lovers leave beauty spot in a mess – Morons
Total bloody morons – Hang Your Heads In Shame
I’m otherwise speechless. No I take that back.
I am gobsmacked and enraged by some of the comments that have been left on The News website. There are some morons out there that have commented that they are OK with this litter being left behind, as it keeps someone else employed, that this litter being left by “Joe Public” is down to the incompetence of the people who manage this beauty spot.
I’ve no issue with people dropping litter, keeps someone in a job cleaning it up.
that this litter being left by “Joe Public” is down to the incompetence of the people who manage this beauty spot.
Unfortunately this has occurred due to the abject incompetence of those tasked with taking care of the area.
It is attitudes like those that make me ashamed to be English.
How can it possibly be acceptable, to anyone with more than a single brain cell, for anyone to leave a beauty spot in this state.
Snow lovers leave beauty spot in a mess – Environment – Portsmouth News.
The Fishermans Rest – Titchfield
Spent a gloriously relaxed Saturday afternoon, with my wife and friends, at this pub. The Fishermans Rest has to be one of the best pubs in the area. Good food, friendly staff and a really nice atmosphere.
We spent four hours here, during which we caught up on family, mutual friends and jointly expressing our outrage at issues in the news while attempting to put the world to rights.
During this time we managed to take a breath or two and eat a wholesome meal
I had the “Trio of Fishcakes” while my wife and our friends all had the “Baked Stilton Stuffed Mushrooms” starter. Two of our party then sampled the steaks, the third had the Chicken Pasanda while I was boring and once again had the “Mixed Grill”. All agreed the food was delicious.
Eventually we had to take our leave and head home, parting ways in the car park and debating who would be the first to be taking a nap when we got home.
If you are ever in the area I wholeheartedly recommend this pub for a visit. Combine this with a visit to Titchfield Abbey for a little bit of history.
Weald and Downland Open Air Museum
Thursday and another day spent blowing away the cobwebs. The question was where to go, where could we get some fresh air but without risking getting soaked. The answer was The Weald and Downland Open Air Museum at Singleton.
Just a short twenty-mile drive from home, the museum is set in the heart of the South Downs and is encompassed by the South Downs National Park. It is home to around 50 historic buildings that were previously facing destruction. Those buildings were carefully dismantled and have been rebuilt here. All of the buildings, spanning the period c.1300 to c.1910, originate from the Weald and Downland of the counties of Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire. The museum is set against an ever-changing backdrop of the Sussex downs.
Brilliant scenery, interesting historical buildings with animals mixed in. What better way to get fresh air and exercise.
On entering the site and paying a quite modest entry fee you pass through the Hambrook Barn. The barn has an interesting audio / visual display, with many photos of past and present artisans, some of whom may have worked in some of the buildings in the museum
Passing through the barn you are presented with a high level view over The Market place and down to the pond which has a wind powered water pump. The pump was relocated from Pevensey in Sussex.
As you stroll down to the pond area you pass the old Tollhouse which was originally from Beeding in Sussex.
Sat below the pond is the mill that the water drives. The mill is in operation and you can go inside and view the workings as well as purchase fresh ground flour and other goodies. We came away with a number of packets of local biscuits. Yuuumy !!!
Further round the site there is a working Smithy. The building originates from Southwater which by the way is where some of my family have lived in past times. My grandfather used to work the horses on farmlands around Sussex and who knows he may have visited this building or may have had his horses fitted with shoes from this forge and anvil.
Outside the smithy there is a vertical sculpture. The photo below is a close up of just a part.
Although the buildings are the main reason for the museum one cannot avoid nature. The museum setting means that you are surrounded by beautiful trees, open fields and water.
Around the grounds there are various animals most of which are traditional breeds including Shire horses, Sussex cattle, South Down sheep, Tamworth pigs, geese and Light Sussex chickens. The shire horse can be seen working around the site.
It is estimated that you need around three hours to take in all the museum has to offer. That is presumably if you don’t just sit on one of the many benches to absorb the sunshine, the beautiful scenery and the peace and tranquility.
Well for the most part anyway. Our little piece of tranquility was punctuated by a very yappy French Poodle and a large family group who could only communicate by shouting and screaming at each other.
Despite the minor negative moments we had a brilliant time and sadly we had to make our way home.
For more information take a look at The Weald and Downland Open Air Museum website. Better still go and visit. You will not be disappointed.
Increase use of A3 because of the Hindhead tunnel has made noise worse for East Hampshire residents
And not only for East Hampshire residents
Don’t forget the rest of us along the A3 / A3(M) corridor
This article highlights the impact to residents all the way down to Bedhampton.
Like wind and water, motorists will always take the path of least resistance. Surely it would have been obvious to the planners and the developers what would happen. If they had carried out surveys across the area they would have determined that many vehicles were using the A3 as a quicker route to offset the extra mileage. Once the reason for that diversion was removed then it was a dead cert that the traffic would take the shortest distance once more.
Once again it is the local residents that pay the price for the short sightedness of the planning fraternity.
Dunsbury Hill Farm – New Development Proposal Affects on Waterlooville
Today I received a letter from HBC (Havant Borough Council) pertaining to the proposed development of the Dunsbury Hill Farm site, adjacent to the A3(M).
The description of the development is as follows:
Site Address: Dunsbury Hill Farm, Park Lane, Cowplain, Waterlooville
Proposed Development: Hybrid planning application comprising a part outline application relating to employment uses and a hotel with conference facilities and a part detailed application for a new link road with bus gate to Woolston Road; together with landscaping, infrastructure and associated works.
I am sure that they don’t intend to hide what this development really means but on first reading I was quite happy to go along with it. After all a new hotel and conference centre would not increase the daily traffic levels and road traffic noise. The additional employment opportunities that this would bring is also to welcomed.
However, without reading the actual proposal one is not likely to see what this really is. In their own words …
… proposed development of agricultural land at Dunsbury Hill Farm, Havant into a business and technology park with hotel, conference facilities and associated infrastructure
The development proposal includes the creation of a new roundabout and potential dualling of a section of the Hulbert Road. In addition there are plans to create a new parking area double the area of the current lay-bys this development will replace. All of this is an indication of the increased traffic that the developers are anticipating.
I have lived in this area since 1985. The survey that I had on my house at the time carries a final comment
shame about the noise from the motorway
Over the years I have become aware of the increasing noise levels and the changing nature of the noise. Waterlooville, specifically Junction 3 (J3), the junction of the B2150 with the A3(M), has become something of a hub for the emergency services. As a result anyone living near to this junction will have noticed the increased siren activity. If recent news articles are to be believed the newly opened Hindhead Tunnel is also contributing to increased noise levels along the A3(M) due to heavy goods traffic choosing the A3(M) in preference to the M3 now that the Hindhead traffic jams have been eliminated.
The application pack includes tables indicating noise levels. The constant theme running through the comments section is
A3 constant and dominant.
What is wrong with these tables is that they are taking noise level reading from a point on the centre line of the A3(M) into the development area and on into Calshot Road & Park Lane areas of Leigh Park. No measurements seem to have been taken from the Waterlooville side of the A3(M).
Yet this is the area that will probably be most affected by the additional traffic generated by the new development.
The location of this new development makes total sense when you consider the easy access to the motorway. Allowing traffic to clear the area very quickly. However, the very fact that all that traffic will be coming and going via J3 of the A3(M) is going to have a negative effect on the area.
Presumably the planners are thinking that this new development will provide jobs for the soon to be residents of the Berewood (ex Newlands) development on the opposite side of Waterlooville. Did they also consider the additional traffic that will inexorably be sucked across the town ? Such traffic will also be using the J3 roundabout.
I also have other questions, ones that I have asked in other of my posts …
- Are there any potential tenants who have committed to take up residence of these new units when they are built ?
- Has a major hotel chain registered any interest in running this proposed hotel and conference centre ?
- Was the land adjacent to Junction 2, Horndean, considered as the site for this development ? If it was, why was it rejected since there is less potential for affecting local residents and the motorway access is just as good ?I am assuming that the answer is that the land comes under East Hampshire District Council rather than Portsmouth City Council.
I am the first to bemoan the fact that the planners don’t seem to have done much to provide employment for the residents of Waterlooville. So I am loath to be totally negative about this proposed development. However, I don’t believe that the planners have got the true measure of the impact that this development will have.
As usual the only people who will truly gain from this are the developers and, for a short while, the folks employed to carry out the construction.
Heart attack patients receive best treatment in south at Queen Alexandra Hospital
No wonder the authorities keep trying to skim the QA skills and move them to Southampton.
QUEEN Alexandra Hospital’s heart attack unit is the best in the south, the latest figures show.
Patients have a better chance of surviving than any other hospital in the area and victims from as far away as West Sussex and the Isle of Wight are being taken straight to the Cosham super hospital because of the advances services available.
Of course this means that the work levels have risen.
Figures revealed in the South Central Cardiovascular Report show since QA was given permission to use the helipad 24 hours a day in September the number of heart attack victims admitted has gone up.
There were 288 admissions between April 2011 and December 2011, compared to 269 in Oxford, 229 in Southampton and 165 in Reading.
Despite the increased workload the QA shows that patients have a better chance of survival than if they are treated in any other similar hospital in the region.
The death rate for patients treated for severe heart attacks is 5.8 per cent at QA compared to 9.1 per cent at Southampton, 5.7 per cent at Oxford and 6.4 per cent in Reading.
WrAnTz 