Daily Echo, 4 May 2018: THE Liberal Democrats have again emerged as the winners on Eastleigh Borough Council with a landslide victory in yesterday’s election. But it wasn’t all plain sailing, as they lost all three seats in Bishopstoke to Independent candidates with deputy leader Anne Winstanley being one of the Lib Dems to lose out. After the count, which saw all 39 councillors up for election, the Lib Dems have won 32 seats to the Conservatives’ four, along with three Independents. Jubilant Independent candidates: Lou Parker Jones (who won the most votes, pictured), Ray Dean and Gin Tidridge said they were expecting such a result and felt overwhelmed with the support they had received. Watch video of Independents celebrating being elected to Eastleigh Borough Council!
Eastleigh Borough Council election, 3 May: Chris Yates, Conservative candidate for Hedge End South, writes…
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, Chris Yates, Conservative candidate for Hedge End South, has sent us the following email:
“I am standing as a Conservative candidate in Hedge End South with Jerry Hall and Andrea Lunnon. I am currently a Hedge End town councillor and have been since 2015. I was not able to involve myself in local politics before this as my previous employment precluded me from doing so. There can be no argument that I am new to this process but that said I have lived in Hedge End all my adult life and Botley during my childhood.
I have watched the areas change from small villages to almost one sprawling town. Where have the green fields gone? We all know the answer to that. The over-development in Boorley Green, Hedge End and Hamble alone beggars belief. The road networks cannot cope with the traffic already and will only get worse, doctors’ surgeries are oversubscribed etc – and there’s still no Local Plan!
I honestly believe it is time for change but the only way to do that is to remove the councillors that are currently in post and this coming election is the ideal opportunity to do this. All borough seats are up for election and the Conservatives are the only party that have a realistic chance of beating the Lib Dems. This will only happen if people get out and vote and are vocal. Residents of Easleigh borough need their stories not just told but heard so that others can see that what we have is not a bed of roses.”
Chris Yates, Conservative candidate for Hedge End South on Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council election, 3 May: Ray Dean, Independent candidate for Bishopstoke, writes…
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, Ray Dean, Independent candidate for Bishopstoke on Eastleigh Borough Council, has sent us the following email:
“Having never been a member of any political party, I am standing as a truly independent candidate for the borough council elections on 3 May.
I believe that there is no room for party political “bun fighting” at local government level and that councillors should represent the views of their electorate.
I have supported ADD’s campaign from the start because I feel that EBC’s options B and C for the Local Plan will be disastrous for our community: increasing traffic, not providing the homes required to meet the local need, destroying our countryside, and over-stretching our infrastructure and local services.
For truly independent representation at the borough, vote Independent. Thank you.”
Ray Dean, Independent candidate for Bishopstoke on Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council election, 3 May: Sue Toher, Labour candidate for Bishopstoke, writes…
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, Sue Toher, Labour candidate for Bishopstoke Ward on Eastleigh Borough Council, has sent us the following email:
“I’m against options B and C. I’ve lived in Bishopstoke all my life and am passionate about the area. Stoke Park Wood and the surrounding countryside have been my playground, although there’s not as much of it now due to all the developments that have encroached on the land over the years. That’s why it’s important to fight to keep what’s left. I don’t want to see Bishopstoke become one large housing estate.
We’ve seen increased pressure on the infrastructure, nightmare journeys travelling between Fair Oak and Eastleigh (and that’s without any accidents on the motorways), not to mention long waits to see a GP. The proposal by Eastleigh Borough Council to put a main road, 5,200 houses, employment land and schools north of the woods will not help things, it will only make them worse.
If options B and C were such a good idea, I believe the council would have had no trouble getting all the supporting evidence early on in the exercise. It is common knowledge the council is still trying to pull everything together, with no guarantee that will happen in time for their plan of a June/July consultation.
Regardless of the outcome of these local elections, I believe that the council has left itself no option but to go ahead and try to get its Local Plan passed by the government inspector. They have simply run out of time to do anything else. I also believe that Local Plan will fail, and my fear is that will leave our area open to any number of hostile planning applications.
That’s why I think it’s important that Bishopstoke gets a Neighbourhood Plan (NP) in place as soon as possible. I am the lead councillor on the steering group for the NP, which is made up of interested parish councillors and residents. It will be a plan for Bishopstoke, made by Bishopstoke residents, and I encourage all who are interested in preserving our community to become involved.”
Sue Toher, Labour candidate for Bishopstoke on Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh council election: this Thursday, 3 May – how councillors voted on Local Plan
ADD UPDATE, 29 April 2018: Ahead of the all-out Eastleigh Borough Council election THIS THURSDAY, 3 MAY – when every member of the council is up for re-election – we thought it was worth reminding everyone which councillors voted FOR or AGAINST the borough’s Local Plan at the key meeting last December.
At this meeting, the council voted – without having all the necessary supporting evidence – to approve a Local Plan that includes the development of 5,200 new houses north of Fair Oak and Bishopstoke and a new road running from Mortimers Lane, Fair Oak in the east to Highbridge Road, Allbrook and the M3 in the west.
Below is how each councillor voted last December. PLEASE USE YOUR VOTE WISELY THIS THURSDAY!
Bishopstoke Councillors:
Trevor Mignot, Liberal Democrat, FOR
Victoria Parkinson, Liberal Democrat, FOR
Angela Roling, Liberal Democrat, left the meeting before the vote
Anne Winstanley, Liberal Democrat, FOR
Fair Oak and Horton Heath Councillors:
Nick Couldrey, Liberal Democrat, absent as he has declared a pecuniary interest in option B
Rob Rushton, Liberal Democrat, FOR
Des Scott, Liberal Democrat, Abstained
Eastleigh North Councillors:
Sarah Bain, Independent Liberal Democrat, AGAINST
Maureen Sollitt, Independent Liberal Democrat, AGAINST
Chris Thomas, Independent Liberal Democrat, left the meeting before the vote
Eastleigh Central Councillors:
Mark Balaam, Independent Liberal Democrat, AGAINST
Tina Campbell, Liberal Democrat, FOR
Wayne Irish, Liberal Democrat, FOR
Eastleigh South Councillors:
Darshan Mann, Liberal Democrat, Absent
Paul Bicknell, Liberal Democrat, FOR
Steve Sollitt, Independent Liberal Democrat, AGAINST
Botley Councillors:
Rupert Kyrle, Liberal Democrat, FOR
Angel Myerscough, Liberal Democrat, FOR
Bursledon and Old Netley Councillors:
Tonia Craig, Liberal Democrat, FOR
Steve Holes, Liberal Democrat, FOR
Jane Rich, Liberal Democrat, Absent
Chandler’s Ford Councillors:
Alan Broadhurst, Liberal Democrat, FOR
Haulwen Broadhurst, Liberal Democrat, FOR
Pamela Holden-Brown, Liberal Democrat, FOR
David Pragnell, Liberal Democrat, FOR
Hamble-le-Rice and Butlocks Heath Councillors:
Malcolm Cross, Liberal Democrat, FOR
Elizabeth Lear, Conservative, AGAINST
Hedge End Councillors:
Margaret Allingham, Liberal Democrat, Absent
Ian Corben, Liberal Democrat, FOR
Cynthia Garton, Liberal Democrat, FOR
Clifford Morris, Liberal Democrat, Absent as he has declared a pecuniary interest in option B
Jerry Hall, Conservative, AGAINST
Keith House, Liberal Democrat, FOR
Derek Pretty, Liberal Democrat, FOR
Hiltingbury Councillors:
Margaret Atkinson, Conservative, AGAINST
Judith Grajewski, Conservative, AGAINST
Daniel Hatfield, Conservative, Absent
Michael Hughes, Conservative, AGAINST
Netley Abbey Councillors:
David Airey, Liberal Democrat, FOR
Lizette Van Niekerk, Liberal Democrat, FOR
West End Councillors:
Janice Asman, Liberal Democrat, FOR
Carol Boulton, Liberal Democrat, FOR
Daniel Clarke, Liberal Democrat, FOR
Bruce Tennent, Liberal Democrat, Absent
You can read the council’s minutes of the December meeting here.
Eastleigh Borough Council election, 3 May: Tracy Weeks, Green candidate for West End South, writes…
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, Tracy Weeks, Green candidate for West End South, has sent us the following email:
“The Green Party is the only party that honestly and truly understands the importance of planning to our green spaces. Our priceless environment has always been at the heart of the Green Party’s policies; it’s not something they have ‘piggie backed’ to gain more votes.
The Chartwell Green area of West End, where I have lived for 13 years, is on the edge of Eastleigh Borough Council’s boundary, any development on Allington Lane will impact on our connection with the rest of the borough. The A27 in peak times can be impossible to use. It’s easier to use public transport to go to Bitterne (SCC) than it is to head to Eastleigh, cheaper too. Allington Lane also has its own diminishing pockets of biodiversity (deer, buzzards, etc).
To build anywhere near ancient woodland is disgraceful, such pockets of land should be valued. Friends who live near proposed B/C development are frustrated with the current council. The roads are already under pressure, widening or adding more roads will only make congestion worse, not better! An overstretched water supply could see a shortage for residents and the ecological consequences could be huge for the Itchen and surrounding waterways.
Not all brownfield sites are suitable for development (flight path), we need affordable housing, but in the right places. The proposed B/C development and ‘buffer’ are believed to be developer-lead as greenfield sites are more profitable, but how many affordable homes will actually be built, what will the quality be like?
Has the Local Plan been put together to be thrown out? The Lib Dems could then wash their hands of any responsibility and let the Conservative government take over.
The Local Plan is a missed opportunity. We need a more joined-up approach to housing. There are some great, genuinely affordable, zero carbon homes that will harvest water as well as solar energy. We desperately need a public transport system that is affordable, sustainable and works for everyone. The current council have become complacent; a once great recycling record now lags behind. It’s time for a fresh boost of Green energy!”
Tracy Weeks, Green candidate for West End South on Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council election, 3 May: Jerry Hall, Conservative candidate for Hedge End South, writes…
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, Jerry Hall, Conservative candidate for Hedge End South, has sent us the following email:
“Thank you for inviting me to your virtual hustings. I became a councillor to fight against green field development by the Lib Dems. Options B and C are the the most shocking act of destruction I have ever seen. But sadly it does not surprise me. I’ve seen it all before. The utter destruction of Boorley Green, the ruin of Hedge End because of over development. Hamble Lane etc, etc…
I have visited the options B and C area with ADD members and driven around the roads. I know this is an unsound plan. The road under the railway at Allbrook will never work; it will be the scene of horrendous traffic jams and probably some serious accidents. The M3 access road will be at a standstill.
However, there is hope! The only way to save the area is to remove all the councillors who supported the plan. This year all the borough councillors are up for election, including Keith House, the leader of EBC. Politics is the answer, it’s the only hope we have, the only way to save the woodland. It’s time for you all to stand up and be counted. Be political! Be loud! Be seen! Come and help us to send a message to the arrogant dictatorship. Stand up and FIGHT!
The council leader is standing against me in Hedge End South, presumably to try to snuff out the last of the opposition. Come to my village and tell the story of yours and we can elect councillors who care. Come and help us to take back control. Eastleigh deserves better.”
Jerry Hall, Conservative candidate for Hedge End South on Eastleigh Borough Council
More information:
Mobile – 07762612044
Email – [email protected]
Letter to the Echo: Will new homes wreck the River Itchen?
Letter to the Echo from Graham Mole, Bishopstoke, 25 April 2018: This letter, about Eastleigh’s Local Plan and Hampshire’s water shortage, appeared in the Daily Echo last week. (Disclaimer: ADD tries to publish as many opinions as possible about Eastleigh’s Local Plan. This article does not necessarily represent the views of ADD. Rather, it is published, like others, in order to show the various perspectives that inform the debate.)
Under the heading “Will new homes wreck the River Itchen?”, Graham Mole’s letter read:
“HOW on earth is Southern Water going to supply over 5,000 new homes without wrecking the world famous River Itchen?
It’s already admitted to a government enquiry that in just two years’ time the company won’t have enough water to go round. And that’s just when – under Esatleigh council’s plans anyway– we’ll see over 5,000 homes, each one needing its own water supply.
The water company’s solution? It’s now being forced to think about a desalinisation plant or maybe a new reservoir. Or maybe both!
And the cost of that? Wait for it! The company admits it’ll be a billion pounds.
And who pays? We do. Each one of us.
And who do we have to thank?
Who’s up for re-election on May 3rd?
Step forward Eastleigh council!
Can it really be expected to get our vote when it has voted to slap over 5,000 homes on green fields, ruin the edges of ancient woodlands, disrupt wildlife and by doing so will be responsible for every single voter having to pay more for their water?
No wonder five Lib Dem councillors have already quit!”
Graham Mole
Bishopstoke
To read the original version of the letter, click here.
Eastleigh Borough Council election, 3 May: Alexander Hughes, Green candidate for Eastleigh North; and for the Allbrook & North Boyatt Parish Council election, writes…
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, Alexander Hughes, Green candidate for Eastleigh North on Eastleigh Borough Council and for Allbrook & North Boyatt Parish Council, has sent us the following email:
“We’ve all seen the road signs when driving into Eastleigh, “Welcome to the Borough of Eastleigh – Tackling Climate Change”. I don’t believe that Eastleigh Borough Council has done much to live up to this statement or propose anything positive for the environment with its current Local Plan.
The suggested 5,200 new homes are unlikely to be affordable for most people and will only further stretch already overburdened local resources such as schools, roads and hospitals. The Eastleigh Green Party would like to see genuinely affordable, zero-carbon homes built on brownfield sites. One of our key policies both nationally and locally is strong protection for the Green Belt, National Parks, SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We are greatly concerned about the ecological consequences the current plan has on local sites of ancient natural woodland and the Itchen. We believe that any revised Local Plan should include a population cap in order to safeguard local infrastructure and limit the environmental impact.
What have we learnt from building new roads or expanding motorways? These fill up with yet more traffic and further increase pollution. Steps to make public transport more affordable and better integrated offer a more sustainable solution. For example, the Eastleigh Green Party will promote investment in hybrid and electric buses in order to reduce traffic emissions and an “Oyster Card” type system for fluid travel across the county.
The Green Party believes that the best way forward is by working with each other, rather than against each other, in a way that prioritises the rights of citizens and the environment over those of corporations. We see that the only way forward for humanity is an economy based on sustainability and equality.
Protecting the environment is the whole reason for the Green Party’s existence; it is at the heart of everything that we do. Does this not make the Green Party the obvious choice in May?”
Alexander Hughes, Green Party candidate for Eastleigh North on Eastleigh Borough Council; and for Allbrook & North Boyatt Parish Council
Eastleigh Borough Council election, 3 May: Jill Payne, Labour candidate for Eastleigh Central, writes…
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, Jill Payne, Labour candidate for Eastleigh Central, has sent us the following email:
“Whilst acknowledging the considerable demand for housing locally, I oppose options B and C and the council’s emerging plan.
Eastleigh has significant unmet demand for affordable housing, with a higher proportion of private renters, and Eastleigh’s previous plan was rejected because of this. These options are developer led, low-density greenfield developments so profitable for developers in the provision of high-end, market value housing, which is seeing increasing urban sprawl across our countryside and providing little in the way of genuinely affordable housing for local people.
Nationally the housing market is broken and can no longer be left to the free market – increasingly subject to investment and speculative gain for corporate developers and private landlords. We have seen historic levels of private profit and earnings for those at the top, whilst young people in the South East are increasingly locked out of home ownership and facing a future in private rentals which generally fail on adequate standards, affordability and the provision of long-term secure tenancies. Only Labour has an alternative solution and commitment to investing in and building genuinely affordable and quality social housing.
Whilst most councils have retained some traditional council housing, both as investment and for regular inflows of cash, the Lib Dems in Eastleigh find themselves increasingly reliant on corporate developers and housing associations and lack the transparency, flexibility and control over rents and tenures, accordingly. Whereas eligibility for council housing has been based on an affordability rate of 25% of household income, the Lib Dem-controlled EBC has already looked at how increasing this to 40% of income would reduce its obligation to provide for affordable need.
Finally, we see the Local Plan as a chance to get things right for the long term by investing on brownfield sites across the borough, such as Riverside, and encouraging widespread use of properly integrated public transport. More expensive and less attractive to profit-led developers, such developments provide for the long term benefits of local affordable housing, reduce pollution and protect historic landscapes, ancient woodlands, habitats and species for future generations to enjoy.”
Jill Payne, Labour candidate for Eastleigh Central on Eastleigh Borough Council
