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ADD UPDATE, 13 June 2017: Ahead of the by-election on 29 June for a Parish Councillor in Bishopstoke (East), Action Against Destructive Development (ADD) is keen to help voters in this ward gain a better understanding of how their candidates feel about options B and C of Eastleigh Borough Council’s emerging Local Plan (namely its plans for a Monster sprawl of 6,000+ houses and a major new road north of Allbrook, Bishopstoke and Fair Oak) and any relevant action these candidates intend to take, if elected.

The three candidates are:

EDWARDS, John Peter – Independent
HARRIS, Geoff – Liberal Democrat
MCCORMICK, Tabatha – Independent

We have asked each of the candidates to supply us with up to 350 words on their views on options B and C, and on their intended actions relating to these options.  We are happy to include appropriate images and links. We will publish their statements on our website as supplied, agreeing any edits with the candidate. All statements will also appear on the ADD timeline on Facebook and on Twitter – and we will email links to each of the statements to our supporters by 28 June at the latest. 

Our email address is [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from each of the candidates on this critical issue for the people of Bishopstoke (East), and way beyond.

ADD UPDATE, 11 June 2017: Is Liberal Democrat-controlled Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC) rethinking its plans for a monster and hugely destructive housing sprawl on the outskirts of Bishopstoke and Fair Oak in response to comments received during its consultation process?

Mike Thornton, the Lib Dem Hampshire County Councillor for Bishopstoke and Fair Oak and close ally of the EBC leadership, hinted as much during the general election campaign when he stood unsuccessfully to be re-elected to parliament. 

He was asked on camera by Eastleigh News whether the plan to cover the borough’s finest countryside with 6,000+ new houses and a major new road, namely options B and C of EBC’s emerging Local Plan, would impact ancient woodland at Stoke Park Woods (including Crowd Hill Copse and Upper Barn Copse). 

He replied (view minutes 1.17 – 2.05 in this video): “I would chain myself to the railings before I allowed a bulldozer to go anywhere near Stoke Park Woods… There is a point that development and a road near the woods could cause damage, and that’s why it is absolutely vital that, if that proposal is to be accepted, we have to have a guarantee on how the road goes and how the development goes to prevent any damage to the local woods. And that’s absolutely vital. And we all agree on that and no one denies that. If it’s not possible to do it, then the development can’t go ahead.”

Do Cllr Thornton’s comments mean that he and his allies on EBC are finally listening to the views expressed by the Woodland Trust and by the TV naturalist Chis Packham, who described the plans as “eco-vandalism”?

Oliver Newham, the Trust’s senior campaigner for ancient woodland, has said options B and C would be a “hugely damaging”: 

“Ancient woods are hundreds of years old and act as havens for wildlife. They are very sensitive to change, each one unique and irreplaceable. Ancient woods need properly protecting from the impacts of development. Any road between these woods would sever important wildlife corridors and further isolate the woodlands from each other. The woods would also be exposed to increased noise, light and other damaging impacts. We would urge those that love woodlands, particularly those with local experience of these woodlands, to do (and carry on doing) everything they can to convince decision-makers that these woods need protecting, not polluting.”

Pushed further on EBC’s hope that appropriate ‘buffers’ can be built into the plan, Mr Newham said: “What is being missed is things like the effect that shining car lights into the woods will have on nocturnal animals, the impact that increased noise and air pollution will have on people wanting to go for a tranquil walk, the effect on animals that need to cross between the woods – currently they go across green fields; if the plan goes ahead they’ll be blocked by a road and housing.”

As noted in our update of 10 March, the Woodland Trust says that in order to avoid significant adverse impact on ancient woodland, not least from vehicle emissions, no road should be built closer than 100-200 metres to such woodland. However, at the narrowest point Crowd Hill Copse and Upper Barn Copse are just 175 metres apart so it is IMPOSSIBLE to build the new road through this gap without having a damaging impact on the ancient woodland on either side. Perhaps Cllr Thornton, who declined to participate in our virtual hustings for the recent Hampshire County Council elections and the General Election, was simply trying to win votes, knowing how much hostility there is towards these plans. Or perhaps we are seeing a genuine change of heart amongst the Lib Dem leadership in Eastleigh. Significantly, Jackie Porter, the Lib Dem Hampshire County Councillor and candidate for Winchester, has come out firmly against the plan.

EBC is expected to decide on its Local Plan at its next full council meeting at 7pm on Thursday 20 July (venue to be decided). We are urging ALL our supporters to put this date into their diaries so that we can demonstrate the strength of our opposition. 

As ADD has said all along, options B and C are undeliverable and unaffordable and would have terrible environmental consequences. Our fight is far from over but Cllr Thornton’s admission that, if it is not possible to prevent any damage to Stoke Park Woods, “then the development can’t go ahead” may just signal the beginning of the end.

ADD UPDATE, 7 June 2017: Ahead of tomorrow’s General Election, ADD invited each candidate for each constituency that will be impacted by options B and C of Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC)’s Local Plan (namely its planned MONSTER sprawl of 6,000+ houses and a major new road north of Allbrook, Bishopstoke and Fair Oak) to supply us with up to 100 words on their views on options B and C and 100 words on their intended actions relating to options B and C. (NB: we increased this to a total of 350 words on 19 May).

ADD would like to thank all of the candidates who took the time to send us a brief statement, thereby participating in our virtual hustings. The final count (in alphabetical order, by division) is below. Those in green responded – click on their links to read their respective submissions.

In summary, of the 5 candidates for Eastleigh, 4 said they oppose options B and C. Mike Thornton, the Liberal Democrat candidate, did not reply. Of the 6 candidates for Winchester, Steve Brine, Conservative, and Jackie Porter, Liberal Democrat, said they oppose options B and C, whilst Martin Lyon, UKIP, focused his statement on housing numbers. Of the 5 candidates in Meon Valley, George Hollingbery, Conservative, said he opposes options B and C whilst Paul Bailey, UKIP, had a broader anti-development message and Andrew Hayward, Green, had a broader pro-environment message. All the remaining candidates chose to ignore us. As with the recent Hampshire County Council elections, NO ONE wrote to us in support of options B and C! 

Please SHARE this message and don’t forget to VOTE tomorrow, Thursday 8 June!

PROSPECTIVE PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES FOR EASTLEIGH

DAVIES Mims, The Conservative Party
JONES Malcolm, UK Independence Party
MELDRUM Ron, The Green Party
PAYNE Jill, Labour Party
THORNTON Mike, Liberal Democrats – NO REPY

PROSPECTIVE PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES FOR WINCHESTER

BRINE Steve, The Conservative Party
CHALONER Mark, Labour Party – NO REPLY
LYON Martin Edward, UK Independence Party 
PORTER Jackie, Liberal Democrats
SKELTON Teresa Mary, The Justice & Anti-Corruption Party – NO REPLY
WAINWRIGHT Andrew Karl, Green Party – NO REPLY

PROSPECTIVE PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES FOR MEON VALLEY

BAILEY Paul, UK Independence Party
HAYWARD Andrew Paul, Green Party
HOLLINGBERY George Michael Edward, The Conservative Party
KING Sheena, Labour Party – NO REPLY
TOD Martin Paul, Liberal Democrats – NO REPLY

ADD UPDATE, 7 June 2017: Ahead of the general election on 8 June, ADD has invited each candidate for each constituency that will be impacted by options B and C of Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC)’s Local Plan (namely its plans for 6,000+ houses and a major new road north of Allbrook, Bishopstoke and Fair Oak) to supply us with up to 350 words on their views on options B and C and their intended actions relating to them.

On 7 June, Martin Lyon, UKIP candidate for Winchester, has sent us the following email:

“The question of high density housing is a big issue for the Winchester and Eastleigh Constituencies. Eastleigh is taking a greater proportion of housing than surrounding areas – why? The Conservative-controlled county council and the Liberal Democrat borough council in Eastleigh seem to be supporting the national government’s policy of building more houses in Eastleigh and Winchester. Are we being asked to build more than we can reasonably cope with and actually need? UKIP believes the answer is ‘yes’.

“We oppose all the options (A-D) being discussed. The recent housing white paper says the way to resolve the housing market problem is just build more houses. UKIP thinks this is wrong. It is about building in the right place, including genuinely affordable and rental accommodation for fewer people not more.

“We support new council houses.

“Parliamentary papers list the 3 main drivers on shortfalls of housing land supply as:

1. People living longer

2. People living independently

3. Immigration

“County infrastructure planning is non-existent. Much of the county’s capital programme for schools is relying heavily upon developer’s contributions – over 50% in fact. School numbers are based on population demographics and immigration is making the key difference in Hampshire.

“The previous local plan only allowed for a maximum of circa 10,200 houses. On many occasions UKIP has called for scrutiny of the revised housing figures under the new developing local plan – currently some 50% more than the 2011-2029 failed local plan.

“The Liberal Democrats are merely implementing national housing policy. They blame the Conservatives about poor infrastructure. The Tories then blame the borough for not having a local plan. In Winchester the Conservative run city council have taken minimal housing quota compared to Eastleigh.

“UKIP is the only party calling for a local moratorium on the question of housing quotas; driven by national government ONS figures responding to uncontrolled ‘immigration’ since 1997.

“More people means more cars on old roads leading to high repair costs and more congestion. This means more pollution. Our frustration is that neither Conservative or Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidates are questioning the situation?”

Martin Lyon, UKIP candidate for Winchester

ADD UPDATE, 6 June 2017: Ahead of the general election on 8 June, ADD has invited each candidate for each constituency that will be impacted by options B and C of Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC)’s Local Plan (namely its plans for 6,000+ houses and a major new road north of Allbrook, Bishopstoke and Fair Oak) to supply us with up to 350 words on their views on options B and C and their intended actions relating to them.

Andrew Hayward, Green candidate for Meon Valley, has sent us the following email:

“While it is undeniable that a shortage of houses is an issue faced across the country, the development of green space as a solution is something I find unthinkable and is indeed the stance of The Green Party. The encroachment on our environment is unforgivable. This is without consideration for the impact on local services, transport congestion and furthermore the quality of the air we breath. In-city green spaces are essential to the health of the population both physically and mentally and contribute greatly to the biodiversity of any given area.

“It is my personal position that the development of derelict, waste and brown land should always be placed as a higher option to the tearing up of our precious countryside.  While I understand the pressure on local authorities to build more homes, it is crucial that we set an example to our children that our environment and the way we treat it is paramount.”

Andrew Hayward, Green candidate for Meon Valley

ADD UPDATE: 3 June 2017: Eastleigh Borough Council has said that it will make a decision on which options of its Local Plan it will choose at its next full council meeting on 20 JULY (at 7pm – location to be decided).

Join us to make local opinion heard at this crucial meeting when we believe the council, led by Keith House (Lib Dem), will push through its preferred GIANT housing development (enough to cover its housing need for the next 20 years) in the very north of the borough (Allbrook, Bishopstoke and Fair Oak), right on the border with Winchester’s southern villages (Upham, Owslebury, Twyford, Colden Common, Bishops Waltham, Otterbourne). THIS IS MASSIVE! Help save your countryside!

As TV naturalist Chris Packham says: “It is desperately important that people get behind the campaign to prevent this piece of eco-vandalism.” MORE THAN 6,000 HOUSES (equivalent to a town more than three times the size of Colden Common), several thousand new vehicles daily on our existing roads plus a major new road driven through ancient woodland and unspoilt countryside. Once gone, it will be lost forever – but we CAN do something about it.

Come to this meeting and join us in protesting against this wanton destruction of our beautiful countryside. Whilst we may not persuade the council to choose the more sensible options in Allington Lane this time, a big turnout WILL make a significant difference when we demonstrate the strength of local opposition to the independent planning inspector.

7PM, 20 JULY 2017 – SAVE THIS DATE!

ADD UPDATE, 30 May 2017: Ahead of the general election on 8 June, ADD has invited each candidate for each constituency that will be impacted by options B and C of Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC)’s Local Plan (namely its plans for 6,000+ houses and a major new road north of Allbrook, Bishopstoke and Fair Oak) to supply us with up to 350 words on their views on options B and C and their intended actions relating to them.

On 30 May, Jackie Porter, Liberal Democrat candidate for Winchester, sent us the following email:

“I have spoken with residents in Church Lane (Colden Common), and elsewhere in my constituency, in support of ADD’s plea to prevent the degradation of the Ancient Woodland (in options B and C), and I know that residents on both sides of the constituency boundary have joined the Woodland Trust to show their support for this cause.

“Residents are not only concerned about the woodlands. They fear traffic chaos, and their own homes being swallowed up by the new conurbation.

“Building new homes is never easy and I realise that we need new homes in the South, and that Eastleigh is one of the most proactive boroughs in achieving this. Many people move away from Winchester to the Eastleigh area because there are affordable homes available. 

“That said, because options B and C have been rejected by so many, including by the residents, the Woodland Trust, famous naturalist Chris Packham, and politicians across the parties I feel it is time for Eastleigh to think again.”

Jackie Porter, Liberal Democrat candidate for Winchester

ADD UPDATE, 29 May 2017: Ahead of the general election on 8 June, ADD has invited each candidate for each constituency that will be impacted by options B and C of Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC)’s Local Plan (namely its plans for 6,000+ houses and a major new road north of Allbrook, Bishopstoke and Fair Oak) to supply us with up to 350 words on their views on options B and C and their intended actions relating to them.

On 29 May, Paul Bailey, UKIP candidate for Meon Valley, sent us the following email:

“It seems that many of the newly proposed housing developments across all counties are an edict from government and there is nothing that ordinary people can do about it other than try to limit the damage.  Of course the word “development” is just a euphemism for ravagement and exploitation, and the so-called developers are often not building housing estates for the fun of it but rather to capitalise on as much profit as they can regardless of the consequences. 

“I must emphasize that I am not against people having the right to a decent home, but I do think estates should fit in with the existing environment and infrastructure . At UKIP we cannot understand why developers do not move onto more brownfield sites, often corroded and empty: why not redevelop what is already there?

“So what can we ordinary people do to save our Towns, Villages and Countryside for future generations?  Well, when developers were planning to chop down twelve ancient trees to make way for a new Tesco supermarket in the writer Laurie Lee’s neck of the woods, a lot of people protested by climbing up into those trees, and he wrote a little joke verse that went:

I think that I shall never see
A Tesco lovely as a tree
And if we are forced to cut ours down
‘Twill shame the gateway to our town

“It was not, by his own admission, one of his best but the trees were saved, and I like to think that passionate public opinion can influence the most stony-hearted politicians.”

Paul Bailey, UKIP candidate for Meon Valley

ADD UPDATE, 24 May 2017: Ahead of the general election on 8 June, ADD has invited each candidate for each constituency that will be impacted by options B and C of Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC)’s Local Plan (namely its plans for 6,000+ houses and a major new road north of Allbrook, Bishopstoke and Fair Oak) to supply us with up to 350 words on their views on options B and C and their intended actions relating to them.

On 24 May, Ron Meldrum, Green candidate for Eastleigh, sent us the following email:

“The Green Party is the only party that has environmental and financial sustainability as its core axiom.

“The destruction of our green fields for housing is a result of the economic growth model particularly pursued by the Conservatives. They have allowed people to buy homes for investment and leave them empty, created many jobs attracting people from abroad to come and live in this country and increase demand for housing increasing the demand for housing and eased the laws on planning permission making it easier for development to take place.

“All this has resulted in the excessive building you are seeing across the South.

“When I lived in Bishopstoke, I initiated a campaign to stop houses being built on a piece of land next to cemetery, which was successfully turned down.

“Green Party recognises the need for further housing, but believe preference should given to those building carbon neutral homes and on brown field sites.

“We should of course oppose plan B and C as it will destroy open countryside for wildlife and future generations. I fear that the growth model of economics that most people seem to want vote for will simply put more and more demand on housing in this area. We will see more houses built, more roads built, more air pollution. If we really want to stop the housing being built and roads being built in this arena, we as society will have to change the way we do things. You could try voting for sustainability instead.”

Ron Meldrum, Green candidate for Eastleigh