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ADD UPDATE, 22 April 2018: Ahead of the local elections on 3 May, ADD has invited each candidate standing for Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC) and Winchester City Council – as well as in the parish elections in Allbrook and North Boyatt, Chandler’s Ford, Hiltingbury, Colden Common & Twyford and Owslebury – to supply us with up to 350 words on their views on EBC’s Local Plan.

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, Mary Shephard, Labour candidate for Fair Oak and Horton Heath on Eastleigh Borough Council, has sent us the following email:

“I have lived in Fair Oak for the best part of fifty years.  I have struggled with the traffic all that time, and despaired as more and more houses have been built, without any improvements to the infrastructure.

The building of 350 houses recently on a site with inadequate drainage and sewage systems has caused disruption to existing residents, and damage to the ancient woodland of Stoke Park Woods. Planning permissions have been granted for 2,000 houses recently, but there are no plans to improve access to Eastleigh, Southampton or Winchester.

I am opposed to Eastleigh Borough Council’s proposed Local Plan, options B and C, which will further damage the woods, and destroy green fields. Promises to ‘create’ open spaces within these planned developments translates as leaving small areas of managed open space surrounded by houses, rather than fields of flowers, birds and wild mammals. I don’t need to spell out the pressure on health services, social services and schools.  If Eastleigh Borough Council can borrow money to build premises for hotels and Marks & Spencer, why don’t they create doctors’ and dentists’ surgeries where they are needed?

For many years I was a volunteer teaching for the Adults Literacy and Basic Skills scheme. I have served on Fair Oak Parish Council, and am a volunteer Trustee of Fair Oak Village Hall.”

Mary Shephard, Labour candidate for Fair Oak and Horton Heath on Eastleigh Borough Council

ADD UPDATE, 22 April 2018: Ahead of the local elections on 3 May, ADD has invited each candidate standing for Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC) and Winchester City Council – as well as in the parish elections in Allbrook and North Boyatt, Chandler’s Ford, Hiltingbury, Colden Common & Twyford and Owslebury – to supply us with up to 350 words on their views on EBC’s Local Plan.

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 Bellinger, Labour candidate for Bishopstoke on Eastleigh Borough Council, has sent us the following email:

“Not only as a Labour Party candidate but simply as a local resident, I have been appalled and dismayed at the proposal of building a road through the farmland north of Bishopstoke. To compound this by adding over 5,000 dwellings is simply wrong!

I’ve heard many arguments against this proposal, and yet the arguments for the idea appear very few and flimsy. Yes, we do need more affordable housing in the borough. But the emphasis is on affordable and not large investment homes. Some of the proposed homes are indeed meant to be affordable. However, time after time, this has been agreed between developers and councils, and in many circumstances clauses have then allowed developers to circumvent building the “affordable” part of the development.

The idea that traffic will be reduced from Fair Oak through to Eastleigh by building a new road through farmland between woodland is a ridiculous notion. Apart from the obvious obstruction to large vehicles at the Allbrook rail bridge, where other “relief” roads have been built, it has increased traffic in those areas because people try to use the relief roads as short cuts from other areas to avoid hold-ups on other major routes, such as motorways. Then adding another 5,000-ish dwellings, plus commercial traffic, that’s tens of thousands of extra journeys per day.

There is the pressure on local infrastructure, other roads, medical services and sewage to name but a few, many which are over capacity in this area already.

Another major concern is the destruction to the environment. The area proposed for a sprawling housing project is a major asset to the area. The local impact is not just about how pretty the area is. It is about its commercial and long-term environmental and economic value to the area. Thousands of us local people use this area for recreation: local children’s groups and schools use it to educate our kids; families out walking; dog owners; and fishermen on the river Itchen. This plan will impact the river, too.

I believe there are other, low impact ways ahead for housing in the borough.”

Ray Bellinger, Labour candidate for Bishopstoke on Eastleigh Borough Council

ADD UPDATE, 22 April 2018: Ahead of the local elections on 3 May, ADD has invited each candidate standing for Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC) and Winchester City Council – as well as in the parish elections in Allbrook and North Boyatt, Chandler’s Ford, Hiltingbury, Colden Common & Twyford and Owslebury – to supply us with up to 350 words on their views on EBC’s Local Plan.

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 McKeone, Labour candidate for Bishopstoke on Eastleigh Borough Council, has sent us the following email:

“I am totally opposed to Eastleigh Borough Council’s draft Local Plan – for an extra 5,200 to be built in the Bishopstoke and Fair Oak area, with a new road between Allbrook and the M3, and the outskirts of Upham.

These 5,200 homes would see Bishopstoke double in size. (5,200?  3,350 meets the government’s target for Eastleigh!). Their construction would impact hugely on the environment and a radical improvement in the infrastructure would be required.  Evidence demonstrating these problems has been put forward time and again, yet has been ignored and discounted.   The borough council claims to have ample evidence in support of options B and C, and yet some evidence was still not available when the council chose their preferred options in December 2017.

And what sort of houses will these 5,200 houses be? Will they be what we need in the Eastleigh area – lots of affordable homes, homes to rent, social housing? No. Not while a hefty developers’ contribution is needed to fund the new road. Developers will only pay such contributions if they can build enough high-price housing to make it worth their while. They may be compelled to build a proportion of ‘affordable’ housing, but they won’t build any more than they really have to.

So what of the proposed new road? The projected route passes through large areas administered by Winchester City Council, and they currently oppose the idea of this road. And then just how would this new road, intended to take large vehicles, such as Lorraine’s and double decker buses, cross the railway line near Allbrook? Can’t make it much wider. Dig down to make it deeper?   So near to the River Itchen? Fat chance without increasing the risk of the road flooding.

So, if this draft Local Plan goes ahead, we get lots of new houses that don’t meet local need, a road that won’t be able to accommodate the large vehicles it was intended to take, and the destruction of the environment around our village.

How can anyone support this outrageous plan?”

Chris McKeone, Labour candidate for Bishopstoke on Eastleigh Borough Council

ADD UPDATE, 22 April 2018: Ahead of the local elections on 3 May, ADD has invited each candidate standing for Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC) and Winchester City Council – as well as in the parish elections in Allbrook and North Boyatt, Chandler’s Ford, Hiltingbury, Colden Common & Twyford and Owslebury – to supply us with up to 350 words on their views on EBC’s Local Plan.

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

ADD UPDATE, 22 April 2018: Ahead of the local elections on 3 May, ADD has invited each candidate standing for Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC) and Winchester City Council – as well as in the parish elections in Allbrook and North Boyatt, Chandler’s Ford, Hiltingbury, Colden Common & Twyford and Owslebury – to supply us with up to 350 words on their views on EBC’s Local Plan.

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, Steven Broomfield, Conservative candidate for Fair Oak and Horton Heath, has sent us the following email: 

“Eastleigh’s proposal for the Major Development Area north of Bishopstoke and Fair Oak is an ill-thought dog’s breakfast, with the potential to cause immense disruption to the lives of so many residents of the area.

It looks as if the council have arranged their facts to suit Council Leader Keith House’s desire to trample over and despoil the nicest parts of the borough, far away from his power base in Hedge End. At the council meeting on 11 December when this plan was approved, one Fair Oak & Horton Heath councillor voted in favour, one abstained and the third didn’t vote because he has a pecuniary interest in the matter! Thanks for your support, chaps.

Keith House has been quoted in the national press, commenting that his council are ‘proud’ of committing to build 2,000 MORE houses than needed – why add to the chaos and disruption through sheer bravado?

The likely effect on flood risk has not be fully assessed, and the Woodland Trust have commented that development should not take place where it damages sites of ancient woodland… surely building a new major road between Crowdhill Copse and Upper Barn Copse will ruin the nearby woods as habitats for wildlife and recreation facilities for residents? Winchester City Council, too, have expressed major concerns. Even Winchester Lib Dems are campaigning against Eastleigh Lib Dems’ plans, for goodness sake!

I’ve lived in Fair Oak since 2001. Both my daughters grew up and went to the infant and junior schools and on to Wyvern. Most work days I cycle to Parkway station to take the train to London, so I see the amount of traffic on our roads. I don’t want to see the village my children grew up in swamped by massive over-development. (And who thought it was a good idea to build houses on the flood plain just before the River Inn?).

I urge voters to support any candidate who can defeat the Lib Dems and in Fair Oak and Horton Heath, that is Conservative. There are three seats available and we must elect sensible voices to represent our communities. I pledge, if elected, to work with anyone of any party (or none) who will undertake to offer a constructive opposition to Eastleigh Lib Dems’ destructive plans.”

Steven Broomfield, Conservative candidate for Fair Oak and Horton Heath on Eastleigh Borough Council

ADD UPDATE, 22 April 2018: Ahead of the local elections on 3 May, ADD has invited each candidate standing for Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC) and Winchester City Council – as well as in the parish elections in Allbrook and North Boyatt, Chandler’s Ford, Hiltingbury, Colden Common & Twyford and Owslebury – to supply us with up to 350 words on their views on EBC’s Local Plan.

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, Ben Burcombe-Filer, Conservative candidate for Hedge End North on Eastleigh Borough Council, has sent us the following email:

“I believe that options B and C is nothing short of eco-vandalism, destroying historical and ecologically valuable ancient woodlands and the eco-systems connected to them. 

What is more, I believe this eco-vandalism is to no good purpose, as the surrounding infrastructure simply will not cope with the additional homes, meaning Eastleigh’s problems will get worse rather than better as a result of the adoption of the Local Plan in its current format. 

With 26,000 additional daily traffic movements under the Allbrook [railway] bridge alone, the M3 would simply become a standstill at peak times, having a huge effect on air quality at the same time. Moreover, schools, hospitals and other services are already full to bursting and yet no mention is made in the Local Plan of how – or even if – they would be expanded to cope with the additional demand. 

What’s more the current documents only show evidence for options B and C rather than a broader consultation of all options which is a betrayal of the democratic process and of Eastleigh residents. 

Experts and expert bodies such as the Woodland Trust have been ignored – or worse dealt with aggressively – with [Council Leader] Keith House resorting to labelling concerns ‘fake news’. 

Overall, I am against not only options B and C but also the manner in which the whole process has being carried out so far. If elected, I would campaign for a root-and-branch overhaul not only of the Local Plan but also the way such decisions are made.”  

Ben Burcombe-Filer, Conservative candidate for Hedge End North on Eastleigh Borough Council

ADD UPDATE, 22 April 2018: Ahead of the local elections on 3 May, ADD has invited each candidate standing for Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC) and Winchester City Council – as well as in the parish elections in Allbrook and North Boyatt, Chandler’s Ford, Hiltingbury, Colden Common & Twyford and Owslebury – to supply us with up to 350 words on their views on EBC’s Local Plan.

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, Steve Sollitt, Independent candidate for Eastleigh North on Eastleigh Borough Council, has sent us the following email:

“As a councillor, first elected in 1994, I know how important planning and local plans in particular are.

Planning is never an easy issue but it’s vital that councillors recognise when something isn’t right and won’t work. Generations have to live with the consequences of our decisions.

I grew up in Eastleigh and lived in Twyford Road for 20 years. The idea of this development – and of ripping a road through the local countryside and through Allbrook itself – is just beyond belief.

I left the administration in August last year over their inability to understand the consequences of the present plan and in particular the devastating impact of the road that runs through options B & C.

I stood up at council in December and demanded a rethink. The Independent group pointed out that the road wouldn’t relieve congestion and would cause increased traffic in other areas, including both Woodside Avenue and Twyford Road. It would only serve as a distributor road for the development in B & C and the issue of Allbrook Rail Bridge makes the route unusable for the very traffic we are told it was being designed to carry. The idea of building additional housing that isn’t required in line with plan numbers feels like a way of making the finance add up rather than to build a sound plan.

The plan needs a rethink. It’s also not guaranteed that this plan will lead to the closure of Allbrook Hill and the required traffic surveys are incomplete, even now.

Remember too that Winchester Liberal Democrats support my view on the road and it flies in the face of national Liberal Democrat policy.

I am standing as I want to continue to be a strong voice against the proposed plan and the impact of traffic on our town. There needs to be a rethink. The present plan is flawed and poor planing is a legacy I am ashamed this council wants to leave future generations.”

Steve Sollitt, Independent candidate for Eastleigh North on Eastleigh Borough Council

ADD UPDATE, 22 April 2018: Ahead of the local elections on 3 May, ADD has invited each candidate standing for Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC) and Winchester City Council – as well as in the parish elections in Allbrook and North Boyatt, Chandler’s Ford, Hiltingbury, Colden Common & Twyford and Owslebury – to supply us with up to 350 words on their views on EBC’s Local Plan.

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, Gin Tidridge, Independent candidate for Bishopstoke Ward on Eastleigh Borough Council, has sent us the following email:

“The Major Development Area (MDA) north of Bishopstoke and Fair Oak proposed in Eastleigh Borough Council’s draft Local Plan will be so destructive. And I hope the Planning Inspector realises that! 

I believe the council has cherry picked evidence to fit Council Leader Keith House’s desire to destroy beautiful countryside (far from his ward) and is struggling now to get the ecological and traffic data to match this proposal. Even flood risk hasn’t been assessed fully yet. The views of local people have been ignored by our borough councillors in Bishopstoke who all voted for the draft Local Plan on 11 December. Apart from one who left before the vote.

I share the Woodland Trust’s view that development should not take place where it damages sites of ancient woodland. And the Trust have been clear – building a new major road in the 120 metre gap between Crowdhill Copse and Upper Barn Copse will damage and fragment their woods.

And to read Keith House boasting in the Daily Telegraph that he is proud of committing to build 2,000 more houses than the council calculates are needed over our countryside saddens me.

I’ve campaigned actively for ADD since it started in 2016 because I am so concerned about the MDA. 

Voting independent can make make a difference, especially when the developers start to apply for planning permissions as these will be submitted to the council’s local area committees (LACs). If 3 of the 6 members of the LAC for Bishopstoke, Fair Oak and Horton Heath are independent, control will not sit with the council’s ruling party.

I believe Eastleigh Deserves Better.”

Gin Tidridge, Independent candidate, Bishopstoke Ward for Eastleigh Borough Council

 

ADD UPDATE, 21 April 2018: Ahead of the local elections on 3 May, ADD has invited each candidate standing for Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC) and Winchester City Council – as well as in the parish elections in Allbrook and North Boyatt, Chandler’s Ford, Hiltingbury, Colden Common & Twyford and Owslebury – to supply us with up to 350 words on their views on EBC’s Local Plan.

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, Lou Parker-Jones, Independent candidate for Bishopstoke Ward on Eastleigh Borough Council, has sent us the following email:

“I’ve supported ADD since its inception. You’ve probably seen me delivering leaflets, on one of the awareness walks or speaking against the proposals at public meetings. Woodland and the Itchen make not only Bishopstoke but also our borough special and should be protected for future generations.

I believe options B and C will:

• devastate ancient woodland and wildlife;
• increase road misery – the supposed North Bishopstoke Link Road would not be in place before development;
• Overburden our services (e.g., surgeries), which are already stretched; and
• lead to millions of pounds of debt for a road which will not be an asset that could be disposed of in the future.

Motivated by the lack of regard for local people’s views, I stood – successfully – as an Independent-ADD parish councillor in 2016 and I was second in 2017 county council elections. I represent people, not a party. Please make a difference: give local people a voice by voting Independent.”

Louise Anne Parker-Jones, Independent candidate, Bishopstoke Ward for Eastleigh Borough Council

For more information:
Twitter – @Lou_ParkerJones
Facebook – @LouisePJ
Email – [email protected]​

ADD UPDATE: 13 April 2018: A government inquiry last month heard that in two years’ time Southern Water might not have enough water to supply even the current households, let alone the more than 5,000 homes planned by Eastleigh Borough Council in its draft Local Plan. Moreover, fixing the problem would leave Southern Water’s customers facing huge new bills.

In a statement, Southern Water told the inquiry its only solution was to spend a billion pounds on alternative sources such as either a new reservoir or a desalinisation plant, or maybe both. But the company made clear the money could only come from its customers.

The inquiry was held to hammer out just how much water the company could take from both the Test and Itchen rivers. The latter has the highest possible EU protection and damaging it could cost the UK millions of pounds in fines. The Environment Agency wanted to restrict the company from taking too much water from the two world famous rivers. But as Southern Water explained in its position statement, the proposed changes “would put the company in the impossible position of having to break the law – either by breaching an abstraction licence in order to continue to supply customers in drought or force majeure events, or by breaching its duty to supply water to the public, a duty which is laid down by Parliament.”

The company also said: “We’re looking at ideas like improving and building a more connected network so water companies can transfer supplies more easily – from 2027 that would include better connections with Portsmouth Water and in the longer term a connection through Bournemouth to Wessex Water. Details of these £1 billion projects can be found in the Water Resources Management Plan. That plan – an industry first – looks 50 years into our shared future.”

But the inquiry heard the problem was more urgent – that in just two years’ time the company would, in technical terms, be “in deficit”. Moreover, that crisis would, if Eastleigh’s Plans were approved, coincide with the increase of at least 5,000 households in the area – astonishingly, nearly 2,000 more than the government requires.

In a joint statement at the end of the inquiry, the company and the Environment Agency wrote: “Southern Water’s concern was that reliance on drought permits or orders – or in the case of force majeure events, ad hoc discussion with the agency – to secure water supply would put Southern Water in breach of its supply duty due to the lack of certainty and the risk that Southern Water would not obtain the requisite authorisation in sufficient time.”

Indeed, despite substantial agreement between the parties on current licences, no agreement was reached on the merits of a potential future application for a drought permit or drought order.

As the Environment Agency concluded: “No evidence or convincing analysis has been provided, which compels a conclusion that the proposed arrangements do not adequately secure compliance with Southern Water’s public water supply duties.”

Where all this leaves Eastleigh’s Local Plan is not yet known. Could it be yet another nail in the Plan’s coffin?