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ADD UPDATE, 14 December 2017: Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC)’s meeting on Monday (11 December) left ADD as convinced as ever that we can defeat the council’s proposed Local Plan. This is despite the vote going the wrong way, as we had fully expected. The occasion highlighted the extraordinary lack of evidence to justify the council’s decision and the failings in its process. This will serve us in good stead when the plan goes before the government inspector for a final decision.

The meeting gave conditional approval to options B and C, which would involve 5,200 homes near Bishopstoke and Fair Oak and an environmentally catastrophic new road. Councillors also voted to give the final decision to the chief executive, who will have to assess the outstanding evidence when it is ready.

So, the most important decision affecting Eastleigh and surrounding area for a generation will be taken by an unelected officer without allowing councillors or the public to scrutinise the facts.

Council leader Keith House justified this affront to democracy with the blatantly untrue statement that only about 1-2% of the necessary evidence was missing. In fact, as the council report acknowledges, there are still 14 uncompleted studies waiting to be received – 37% of the total. These include highly significant traffic, environmental and flooding assessments.

The real reason for this unseemly haste is that Cllr House wants to have the Local Plan in place in time for the local elections in May.

Around 800 supporters who had braved the freezing weather applauded enthusiastically as they heard more than thirty submissions against the proposals from a wide range of speakers, including a river keeper on the Itchen, the Woodland Trust, Campaign to Protect Rural England, numerous parish councils, Winchester City Council and local MP Mims Davies.

There then followed a debate. Several majority-party councillors who spoke appeared not to have read the report, and were unable to produce a single piece of hard evidence to support their arguments. It had all clearly been orchestrated in advance. Speakers from the opposition Tories and the Independent Liberal Democrats spoke out against the plan, but were hopelessly outnumbered. The final vote was 25 for; 9 against with one abstention. We will publish the recorded vote as soon as it is available.

The concluding speech by Cllr House was littered with factual errors and highly contentious statements presented as facts. He did not quite say: “I am the only person who understands this subject, so you guys were just wasting your breath.” But he might as well have done.

Despite this entirely expected setback, we remain confident of ultimate victory.

• There is insufficient evidence to support the plan when it goes to the government inspector;
• It contradicts national planning guidelines in many important respects;
• The outcome was clearly pre-determined in advance, which is not allowed;
• Hampshire County Council (the Highway Authority) has written to EBC to express concern at the lack of supporting evidence;
• Winchester City Council, which must give planning permission for any changes on Highbridge Road (despite what Cllr House said), opposes the plan;
• Many powerful groups such as the Angling Trust are vehemently against it;
• The new road may be undeliverable as EBC has seriously underestimated the cost.

To keep up the pressure, we will soon be asking everyone to dip (further) into their pockets to pay for our continued use of professional advisers. Stay tuned!

For now, thank you all for your magnificent support. It is hugely appreciated. Together we will succeed.

Daily Echo, 12 December 2017: CIVIC chiefs backed plans to build thousands of homes near ancient woodland in Hampshire, despite protesters claiming there was not enough evidence about the impact on environment and traffic. Councillors from Eastleigh Borough Council voted in favour of the proposed Local Plan which includes proposals for 5,200 new homes and a new road north of Bishopstoke and Fair Oak. Residents, protesters and council bosses presented their arguments during a council meeting held at the Ageas Bowl which finished at about 1am this morning. While civic chiefs said their choice is “the most logical option”, protesters and opposition councillors all agreed that “Eastleigh deserves better.” Members of ADD voiced their view by singing a song before the start of the meeting.

ADD UPDATE, 11 December 2017: This evening, 11 December, Eastleigh Borough Council will be asked to vote on its Local Plan to 2036. As our supporters know, the council’s leader, Keith House, is pressing councillors to vote in favour of a Plan that includes 5,200 new houses and an expensive new link road north of Bishopstoke and Fair Oak (its options B and C). The council has two clear alternatives to deliver a major new housing development – what it calls a Strategic Growth Option (SGO). The plan north of Bishopstoke and Fair Oak has always been House’s favourite, though there is little evidence to support his case.

Over the last few years, many myths about Eastleigh’s Local Plan have been planted and allowed to take hold. One of these is that the council’s SGO needs to deliver over 5,000 houses. This was the case but because of recent planning approvals is no longer so. Whilst ADD has been aware of this for a couple of months, buried in the papers for this meeting, the council now concedes the point too. Are all councillors aware of this?

The meeting papers state that within the Plan period, which is to 2036, Eastleigh actually needs to find the means to deliver a further 3,350 houses. Not 5,200 – but 3,350. Indeed, the papers make clear that the 5,200 number is merely an aspirational one to 2046! It’s therefore irrelevant.

Why, therefore, is the council fixated on finding land for 5,200 houses? The reason, of course, is that Cllr House knows that without this number of houses the developer would be unable to meet the cost of the proposed road in options B and C. He needs this excessive number of houses to support his case.

The Plan that councillors are being asked to vote on this evening also includes space for 30,000 square metres of employment-related development to accompany the new houses. But this, too, is development that Eastleigh does not need. The borough already has the potential to deliver much more than this at better locations, at the former railway works and Eastleigh Riverside. We don’t need 30,000 square metres of employment space, and certainly not on green fields to the north of the borough.

Nobody doubts that new development is needed, but Cllr House seems intent on building more than required and locating houses in an area where there is the least likelihood of the developer building the kind of housing the borough most needs – i.e., affordable and social housing. Moreover, other councils seem to be catching on to this idea of spare capacity. We have it on good authority that a letter has been sent to Eastleigh by New Forest Borough Council asking Eastleigh to build extra houses to make up for the New Forest’s shortfall!

Does Eastleigh really want to build more houses to accommodate the needs of others – beyond, of course, what it is already doing? Don’t forget Eastleigh is already helping Southampton. Whilst Cllr House may see this as an opportunity to rake in more council tax revenues, is it really in the best interests of Eastleigh residents?

Several councillors say that options B and C is the only SGO that can deliver the required development. This is simply NOT true – not at 5,200 houses, and certainly not at 3,350 houses! Even with Cllr House’s recent, and rather convenient, stipulation that there must be a 1 kilometre gap between settlements within the alternative SGO, options D and E, Eastleigh has two very clear alternatives which could deliver the balance of housing it requires to 2036.

Should the council ignore this fact, and choose Cllr House’s preferred plan without properly comparing both options B/C and D/E, we have legal opinion to suggest that there is a strong possibility it would ultimately fail the planning inspector’s test. Now that is not a myth.

If you – like thousands of others – want an evidence-based Local Plan for Eastleigh, PLEASE, PLEASE TURN UP TO TONIGHT’S COUNCIL MEETING. BRING YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TOO: 7PM, TONIGHT, MONDAY 11 DECEMBER, AT THE HILTON AT THE AGEAS BOWL (SO30 3XH). 

There is masses of parking, so don’t let that put you off. If you need a lift, just contact us!

Next year an independent planning inspector will scrutinise Eastleigh’s Local Plan submission. Whilst it will already be clear to the inspector (whoever he or she may be) that the council’s decision-making is totally unsound, we must emphasise this point again on 11 December by showing up in large numbers.

ADD UPDATE, 10 DECEMBER 2017: Hampshire County Council has become the latest authority to tell Eastleigh Borough Council that it lacks sufficient evidence to make a decision on its preferred Local Plan, namely the development of 5,200 new houses and a new link road north of Bishopstoke and Fair Oak (to view an annotated EBC map here). Eastleigh Borough Council is due to vote on its Plan at a key meeting tomorrow evening. 

Writing earlier this month in the County Council’s position as Highway Authority for Eastleigh’s Local Plan, Stuart Jarvis Director of Economy, Transport and Environment, makes clear that he does “not believe that we are yet in a position in terms of the technical work and evidence base, to reach any final conclusions on the transport impacts and therefore final spatial distribution of development, from a transport perspective.”

He concludes: “In the context of the transport technical work and evidence seen to date it is our view that there is insufficient evidence to conclude a proper transport assessment, and therefore to finalise spatial development option decisions in transport terms, at this stage.”

To view the full letter, click here.

If you – like thousands of others – want an evidence-based Local Plan for Eastleigh, PLEASE, PLEASE TURN UP TO THE COUNCIL MEETING AT 7PM ON MONDAY 11 DECEMBER AT THE HILTON AT THE AGEAS BOWL (SO30 3XH).

Next year an independent planning inspector will scrutinise Eastleigh’s Local Plan submission. Whilst it will already be clear to the inspector (whoever he or she may be) that the council’s decision-making is totally unsound, we must emphasise this point again on 11 December by showing up in large numbers.

ADD UPDATE, 10 December 2017: Tomorrow is Eastleigh’s Local Plan D-Day.

At a meeting at 7pm tomorrow, at the Hilton at the Ageas Bowl (SO30 3XH), Eastleigh Borough Council will be making its choice on its Local Plan. In summary, it wishes to bulldoze through a half-baked plan for 5,200 new houses and a new link road north of Bishopstoke and Fair Oak and south of Colden Common, Owslebury and Upham, significantly affecting Allbrook, Boyatt Wood, Chandler’s Ford, Otterbourne, Brambridge, Highbridge, Twyford, Chandler’s Ford and Bishop’s Waltham too (its options B and C – see an annotated EBC map here).

If you wish to STOP the council making a BAD decision for Eastleigh, then…

…WE URGE YOU TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT – WHATEVER THE WEATHER – TO ATTEND THIS MEETING. TOGETHER, WE CAN DEFEAT THIS PLAN BUT A MASSIVE TURN OUT TOMORROW IS ESSENTIAL.

As ADD’s supporters know, we have a large and growing number of organisations that support our cause (see list here), but tomorrow is all about individuals who are against this plan turning up and being counted.

Many volunteers will be speaking out against EBC’s proposals and the more public support these speakers have, the better our chances of making a difference!

SO PLEASE, PLEASE TURN UP TOMORROW. BRING YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TOO: 7PM AT THE HILTON AT THE AGEAS BOWL, SO30 3XH.

THERE IS MASSES OF PARKING, AND IF YOU NEED A LIFT, JUST CONTACT US!

BE THERE OR BE BULLDOZED… BY THE COUNCIL TOMORROW AND ULTIMATELY THE BULLDOZERS THEMSELVES…

Daily Echo, 8 December 2017: THE Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Eastleigh have quit their party over controversial plans to build thousands of homes near ancient woodland. Cllr Maureen Sollitt and her deputy Chris Thomas (pictured) have both quit the ruling Liberal Democrats group at Eastleigh Borough Council over concerns around the emerging local plan. This comes after councillors Steve Sollitt, Sarah Bain and Mark Balaam quit the party for the same reasons in the past few months. Eastleigh councillors are to discuss the controversial plans to build thousands of homes and a link road near ancient woodland during a full council meeting set to take place at the Ageas Bowl on December 11. Council leader Keith House said these resignations were expected.

PRESS RELEASE: EASTLEIGH INDEPENDENT LIBERAL DEMOCRATS, 8 DECEMBER 2017:

Eastleigh Mayor, Cllr Maureen Sollitt and her Deputy Cllr Chris Thomas, have both quit the ruling Liberal Democrat group on Eastleigh Borough Council over concerns around the emerging Local Plan. Their move means that Eastleigh’s Liberal Democrat Group no longer have any borough councillors in Eastleigh North. Following Cllr Mark Balaam’s resignation from the administration last month, the Independent Liberal Democrat group now have five members and now hold a majority on the Eastleigh Local Area Committee.

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor have resigned from the administration over their proposed plans to build a link road from Fair Oak through to Allbrook, an area both councillors represent. As well as being The Mayor, Cllr Maureen Sollitt is also Chair of Allbrook and North Boyatt Parish Council, which recently voted to formally object to options B and C in the Local Plan. “As Chair of this parish council and a resident of Eastleigh for many years, I share the concerns of local residents over the impact of the plans and the link road which would cut the village of Allbrook in half.”

Like his ward colleague, Cllr Thomas has many concerns about the direction of the Local Plan and its impact. “The height of the railway bridge at Allbrook is a serious obstacle in this plan. It is shocking that the traffic survey for the proposed link road will not be complete in time for Monday’s Full Council vote.” The Mayor and Deputy Mayor, like their colleagues in the Independent Group, remain members of the Liberal Democrats and support the aims and principles of the party nationally but do not share the local Liberal Democrat views on options B and C in the Local Plan.

Cllr Steve Sollitt, Leader of the Independents, welcomed his colleagues in what must have been an incredibly difficult decision in light of their roles as Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the borough of Eastleigh. “Their principled move on this is a sign of the growing unrest amongst Eastleigh residents about the Local Plan.”

Both councillors remain in their roles as Mayor and Deputy Mayor but will now represent their constituents as Independent councillors.

Note to Editor: Cllr Maureen Sollitt, first elected in 1996, has served as Mayor of Eastleigh twice and represents Eastleigh North. Cllr Chris Thomas, first elected in 2002, currently represents Eastleigh North.

For further information contact Cllr Steve Sollitt: [email protected]; 07775 917616

To view a pdf of the press release, click here.

PRESS RELEASE: ST FRANCIS ANIMAL WELFARE, FAIR OAK, 7 DECEMBER 2017: 

St Francis Animal Welfare in Fair Oak has today issued the following statement about concerns over Eastleigh Borough Council’s plans for 5,200 new houses and a new link road north of Bishopstoke and Fair Oak, namely options B and C of its emerging Local Plan:

STARTS  

*Heartless developers ignore Animal shelter concerns* 

Staff and trustees of St Francis Animal Welfare shelter are desperately worried about plans for large new housing developments around Mortimers Lane, which, if permitted, could swallow up their shelter.

Shelter manager Helen Shaw said, “We have a number of concerns.

Drew Smith have actually included our land in their plan without even speaking to us. So we wrote to Phil Farminer at their Head Office about it several times but nobody has had the courtesy to even acknowledge our letters, let alone respond to our concerns. Frankly, we are disgusted. Presumably they have no concern for local people and organisations who will be affected, only for their own profits.

Their plans show high density housing right next door to us. Being an animal shelter, our dogs often bark, including at night – it’s what dogs do! Our cockbirds crow from daybreak onwards. Having animal food around, we are constantly fighting a battle against rats. No-one would want to live next door to all that. Drew Smith clearly don’t care about the Environmental Health issues and what it would be like for people who would actually live in their proposed houses.

The fields near here flood badly in winter. Building houses and roads here would make that many times worse. Increased traffic would be a danger to our dog-walkers, and if we were surrounded by houses, we’d need extra security fencing and floodlighting – money that should be spent on our needy animals.

We have written to our local councillors and hope they will take notice. Our approach to all-comers is simple: we were here first and don’t intend to move. After all, we have been serving the local community since 1953 and we are one of Hampshire’s oldest animal charities – doesn’t that count for something?”

The Eastleigh full council meeting to decide these issues will be on the evening of 11th December at the Ageas Bowl. People are asked to go along and make their feelings heard.

December 2017

ENDS

Contact: Shelter Manager Helen Shaw or Chair of Trustees Annette Lodge – 023 8069 3282

To view a pdf of the press release, click here.

Daily Echo, 6 December 2017: A COUNCILLOR has said Eastleigh Borough Council’s emerging Local Plan will bring “chaos and carnage” to the area. Cllr Richard Izard’s ward of Colden Common and Twyford borders where Eastleigh council wants to build thousands of new homes. The preferred options of the borough council – known as options B and C – would see 5,200 homes and a new road built to the north of Bishopstoke and Fair Oak. But campaigners say this will result in a “massive urban sprawl”, damaging ancient woodland and wildlife as well as increasing traffic. In response, Cllr Keith House, leader of Eastleigh Borough Council, said: “Sadly Richard Izard appears not to have read Eastleigh’s Local Plan documents. His repeated assertions are fake news.”

ADD UPDATE, 6 December 2017: Three MPs, for Winchester, Meon Valley and Eastleigh, have written to the leader and CEO of Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC) to complain about the soundness of the council’s decision-making for its emerging Local Plan. In particular, they question the assumption that two of the council’s development options – D and E – cannot be considered together, but only in the alternative, and conclude by asking EBC to ensure that:

• A combination of D and E is examined with an open mind as an alternative to their preferred options, which are B and C combined; and
• All necessary studies are undertaken to allow a proper evidence-based decision, within the tenets of the National Planning Policy Framework, on which of these two combinations should be included in the draft Local Plan.

To read the letter from Steve Brine, George Hollingbery and Mims Davies (pictured), MPs for Winchester, Meon Valley and Eastleigh respectively, click here.

EBC is due to decide on its Local Plan THIS MONDAY, 11 December. At this meeting, councillors will be asked to rubber stamp their preferred plan, despite the fact that their own officers admit that significant elements of the evidence base have not yet been completed and that these could change the conclusions of their report.

The preferred plan, options B and C, includes 5,200 new houses and a new link road north of Bishopstoke and Fair Oak and south of Colden Common, Owslebury and Upham, significantly affecting Allbrook, Boyatt Wood, Chandler’s Ford, Otterbourne, Brambridge, Highbridge, Twyford, Chandler’s Ford and Bishop’s Waltham too (the council’s options B and C – see an annotated EBC map here). To read all the papers, click here.

In his response to the MPs letter (click here), Keith House, leader of the council, does not respond directly to any of the MPs’ concerns, but claims they are covered in detail in the papers for the 11 December meeting. However, he fails to note that these papers recognise that vital studies have not yet been undertaken and that the evidence in support of options B and C is therefore incomplete. Despite these crucial omissions, he asks the MPs to:

“support the Council’s ambition to meet housing and infrastructure need and to do so through the sound, evidence-led process being promoted by the Council.”

Given the lack of a proper evidence base, it is hard – if not impossible – to see how councillors could justify voting in favour of this plan on 11 December. To do so would be to go against what Keith House claims to be his council’s ambition. Surely, it would be better to wait until all the evidence is available and then decide – as Councillor House and other councillors have committed to do many times before.

If you – like thousands of others – want an evidence-based Local Plan for Eastleigh, PLEASE, PLEASE TURN UP TO THE COUNCIL MEETING AT 7PM ON MONDAY 11 DECEMBER AT THE HILTON AT THE AGEAS BOWL (SO30 3XH).

Next year an independent planning inspector will scrutinise Eastleigh’s Local Plan submission. Whilst it will already be clear to the inspector (whoever he or she may be) that the council’s decision-making is totally unsound, we must emphasise this point again on 11 December by showing up in large numbers.