As you will be aware, on 11 December last year, EBC chose ‘options B and C’ for its Local Plan, namely proposals for 5,200 houses and a major new road north of Bishopstoke, Fair Oak and Allbrook and south of Colden Common, Owslebury and Upham, significantly affecting Boyatt Wood, Chandler’s Ford, Hiltingbury, Otterbourne, Brambridge, Highbridge, Twyford and Bishop’s Waltham.
As part of this virtual hustings, David Betts, Independent candidate for Eastleigh North on Eastleigh Borough Council and for Allbrook & North Boyatt Parish Council, has sent us the following email:
“I am standing as an Independent candidate in both parish and borough elections as I strongly feel that I must be fully involved to be able to ensure that the electorate have all the information required to make informed decisions that will help shape the nature of the numerous individual local areas in the borough.
As an Independent candidate I can assist residents without the encumbrance of a political party regime and consequent pressure to toe the party/leadership Line that has become a major ingredient in the way the present Borough Administration has conducted its business.
I have lived in Allbrook since 1988, moving here from Bishopstoke where I was born and raised.
I have been an Independent Allbrook and North Boyatt parish councillor since 2013, and have a great commitment to the success of the Parish Council.
My main responsibilities on the Parish Council have been:
- Allotments – Council Representative
- Allbrook Meadow – Development Liaison.
I have also been actively involved in supporting residents in planning matters, following up applications, submitting objections where appropriate (both personally and on behalf of the parish council), and attending appeal hearings.
I am standing for re-election in the parish as I know we have made a good deal of progress in the last four years but are now entering a truly formative phase where much of the preparatory work carried out is ready to enable improvements around the parish.
My decision to stand as a borough Independent candidate has been driven almost exclusively by the continuing travesty of the Eastleigh Local Plan process! This has been despite a wealth of expert input warning of the consequences in pursuing the North Bishopstoke options (B&C).
Fellow residents, there are other options that enable the provision of the required homes in the Local Plan period to 2036. Options that are practicable, sustainable and support more adequately the protection of the environment and access to Public Transport!”
There is a better way! Vote for Independent candidates on 3 May.“
David Betts, Independent candidate for Eastleigh North on Eastleigh Borough Council; and for Allbrook & North Boyatt Parish Council
