Tag: Waterlooville

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.

Purbrook Place – 03/10/2012


Building work is forging ahead on Purbrook Place, one of the latest housing developments in the Waterlooville area.

Purbrook Place – 03/10/2012

Permission was granted for the construction of 76 homes, consisting of a mix of 2, 3, 4 bed houses and 2 bed flats with associated parking. The landscaping is scheduled to include open spaces and play areas. There will also be a pumping station ???

Purbrook Place – 03/10/2012

The, main, road access will be from Stakes Road but there will also be pedestrian access to Stakes Hill Road. and the nearby schools.

It is a shame that, at this time, Havant Borough Council and the Highways Agency haven’t taken the opportunity to revise the nearby roundabout which will bear the brunt of the additional vehicles that this development will bring.

The Purbrook Place development on its own will not increase the burden dramatically. However when you take into account the additional traffic that will come this way from  other developments in the Waterlooville area then it is imperative that some improvements are made. I have posted previously regarding the difficulty that can be experienced trying to negotiating this roundabout. These difficulties are primarily caused by virtue of the fact that drivers do not “have” to stop.

Potential Solar Farm For Lovedean Site


The News goes, once again, for the emotive headlines.

Huge solar farm could be built in Waterlooville to generate power

35 acres is hardly “huge” and it’s certainly smaller than the proposed 123 acre site at Fareham.

This is a potentially positive and green development which will in truth have little impact on the local community. Already though, there are dissenting voices.

A solar farm in this area is out of keeping and shouldn’t be considered

Dave Gorshkov, a member of Lovedean Residents’ Association, said:

…… what impact are they going to have on the environment – on the green fields and also from the reflection from the panels?

And this before the developer, London-based Lightsource Renewable Energy Ltd, has submitted a formal planning application.

Ray Cobbett, co-ordinator for Hampshire Friends of the Earth, said:

When new technology comes along, these installations can be dismantled and the countryside returned to its former glory.

‘It’s not a permanent damaging thing. Nuclear, on the other hand, takes millions of years to get rid of the waste.’

Apparently the panels would be mounted on frames about ten feet high. This is certainly less likely to be a blot on the landscape than say a 35 acre housing estate and will, after the initial construction, add very little to local road traffic levels.

So come on folks. Lets not put up obstacles where they aren’t necessary.

Huge solar farm could be built in Waterlooville to generate power – Local Business – Portsmouth News.

West Of Waterlooville – New Primary Schools


I’ve re-blogged this in the interests of providing the wider Waterlooville community with information about the developments that are occurring around them.

winchestercc's avatarWest of Waterlooville

The Masterplan for the West of Waterlooville includes sites for two 2 form entry primary schools. Based on the expected rate of development, we are planning for the first of these schools (on the northern part of the Berewood site) to open in September 2014. Design work is now under way and we expect to make a planning application in October 2012. The new school would serve the northern parts of the Berewood development, together with the Taylor Wimpey (Old Park Farm) site as access from that development to the new school site will be available by the planned opening date.

Under the Education Act 2011, there is a presumption that new schools should be academies, so in the first instance the County Council  has to seek an academy sponsor. This is done by publishing details on the County Council’s web site and notifying any potential sponsors of whom we…

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Despicable


Burglary is a cowardly act at any time. To break in and steal from a charity store is even more so.

As Soon as Possible (ASAP) cat rescue and the Sue Ryder cancer shop, both in Wellington Way, Waterlooville, were targeted by thieves who broke in from the roofs.

These perpetrators are known to someone and should be handed over to the police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Waterlooville police station by phoning 101.

Shopworkers left picking up the pieces following burglaries in Waterlooville – Local – Portsmouth News.

First We Have No Hotels – Then Along Come Two At The Same Time


Havant Borough Council will decide next week whether BAE Systems can build a 60-bedroom hotel and restaurant, car showroom and drive-through on the site of redundant buildings at Brambles Farm industrial estate.

Janet Johnston, secretary of Waterlooville Business Association, said: ‘For years we have said Waterlooville needs a hotel.

It seems that Janet has forgotten about the Dunsbury Hill Farm development which also features a hotel and conference centre at its heart. Should both developments go ahead as the planners are hoping, Waterlooville will go from having no hotels, to having two.

Seems they come along like buses.

I’m still puzzled as to where all the business investment is coming from, where all the business demand for these hotels is being generated.

Janet goes on to say

‘There are times when we have had events on and people have to find somewhere to stay. There are bed and breakfasts but not somewhere businessmen can stay easily. I’ve seen the plans and they are very good.’

Good they may be but if we don’t attract new businesses to the Waterlooville area and generate news jobs then nobody will be making use of all those extra beds.

Redundant buildings may boost business if Waterlooville hotel plan is agreed – Local Business – Portsmouth News.

Curzon Rooms Fire – It Was Only A Matter Of Time


Once again, and the second time in less than a month, The Curzon Rooms in Waterlooville have been the target of arsonists.

The Curzon Rooms building has been an eyesore for many years, slowly decomposing, while the owners and Havant Borough Council have played pat-a-cake around the planning regs. The generally poor condition of the building has not been a welcoming site for potential businesses who may have been tempted to come to Waterlooville.

Havant Borough Council have not made life easy for the owners of the Curzon Rooms otherwise the site would have been redeveloped many years ago. In the meantime Waterlooville Town Centre has slowly gone down hill while the council focus on creating a “retail park” style shopping centre on the west side of the town.

So what was already an eyesore has now become even more of one. It is time for HBC to get the building forcibly demolished.

Curzon Rooms fire, Waterlooville. Picture Malcolm Wells
Curzon Rooms fire, Waterlooville. Picture Malcolm Wells

Police probing ‘suspicious’ derelict Waterlooville building blaze hunt youths – Local – Portsmouth News.

Employment boost as Waterlooville business park plans are unveiled


I have been a tad busy with work for the last few weeks and have found it virtually impossible to get my head into blog mode let alone focus on local affairs. So I am sorry but this is old news but I wanted to bring it to your attention.

Finally, The News has discovered the planned development right here in Waterlooville. No not the enormous housing development known as WoW (West of Waterlooville). Even The News knows about that. No I’m referring to the development of the BAE site that I brought to your attention in my previous post

This is another of the Havant Borough Council / Portsmouth City Council/ East Hants Council job creation schemes. At least that’s what they say on paper. All of the proposed developments around Waterlooville are supposed to be creating jobs. But not one of them is being sponsored by any company that has signed up to move into the area and actually create those jobs.

The various councils will argue that you have to create the right conditions, prepare the environment to entice these erstwhile employers into the area. However, my fear is that what will be created will be empty commercial / industrial buildings.

We will have the new housing developments filled with a willing work force but no one to employ them. It is easier to build homes and to fill them than it is to get businesses started.

Just listen to the news regarding the economy and the apparent unwillingness of the banks to lend to businesses. To be quite honest I also wonder about the ability of folks to obtain mortgages to buy the new homes being built.

Employment boost as Waterlooville business park plans are unveiled – News – Portsmouth News.

Ha Ha Missed Me


Just come home after picking my wife up from work.

The blue meanies are working Frendstaple Road, at the entrance to Woods Edge,  close to home with a hand-held speed trap.

Sorry but I was on the wrong side of the road, sneaking up behind him.

Phew !!!