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APPEAL TO ADD SUPPORTERS: PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION BY 2 MAY, 26 April 2017: As ADD supporters know, the protection of ancient woodland is an important issue in our efforts to prevent Eastleigh Borough Council from pressing ahead with its plans to build 6,000+ new houses and a major new road north of Bishopstoke and Fair Oak (namely options B and C of its Local Plan). The beautiful countryside in this area includes seven sites of ancient woodland: Stoke Park Wood, Crowdhill Copse, Upper Barn Copse, Hill Copse, Park Hills Wood, Hallands Copse and Tippers Copse.
The government’s recent housing white paper suggests giving additional protection for sites of ancient woodland within the National Planning Policy Framework. However, the white paper does not go as far as to suggest removing a key get-out clause that local authorities and builders are using to avoid their responsibilities. The get-out clause states:  “Ancient Woodland enjoys a presumption in favour of retention, save in circumstances that… the need for, and benefits of, the development in that location clearly outweighs the loss.”

A number of organisations, including the Woodland Trust, are campaigning to get this clause removed. However time is running out as the white paper’s consultation period ends at 11.45pm NEXT TUESDAY, 2 MAY 2017.

The simplest and quickest way to support the change is by adding your name to the Woodland Trust’s petition on this matter. To do so, please CLICK HERE. A letter to your local MP would, of course, also help the cause.

A small change in the wording within the white paper may seem a minor matter, but it could add strength to our campaign to protect options B and C from the council’s devastating proposals.

PLEASE SIGN UP TO THE PETITION NOW AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO SO TOO!

ADD UPDATE, 26 April 2017: Following our successful ADD run on 2 April, we will be holding a ‘bluebell walk and run’ through the beautiful Stoke Park countryside this Saturday, 29 April, to raise awareness for our campaign and to remind ourselves of what will be lost if Eastleigh Borough Council goes ahead with its plans for 6,000+ new houses and a new road north of Bishopstoke and Fair Oak (namely options B and C of its emerging Local Plan).

We will meet at the Fox and Hounds, Winchester Road, Fair Oak, SO50 7HB at 3pm. Fun runners will be able to enjoy a sociable 5.7km scenic route whilst walkers can enjoy a stroll through the countryside before entering one of the ancient woodlands to enjoy a stunning display of bluebells and other wildflowers – all of which are severely threatened by the council’s shocking plans.

Both the run and the walk will start and finish at the pub, so we hope you might also enjoy a drink or something to eat afterwards. Please do join us with your families! It promises to be a wonderful, if sobering, afternoon.

There will be no charge for entering although donations to our campaign funds – which are critical to fighting these heinous proposals – are always welcome!

ADD UPDATE, 25 April 2017: Naturalist and TV presenter Chris Packham’s video filmed by BBC Radio Solent about why he opposes Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC)’s plans for 6,000+ houses and a new road in Fair Oak and Bishopstoke (namely options B and C of its Local Plan) is going viral on social media, with over 17,000 views and counting. He has previously described EBC’s plans as “eco-vandalism”. He says: “The Itchen floodplain is of national and international importance as a chalk stream. Both the waterway and all of its tributaries and the surrounding meadows – and surrounding ancient woodland – are of national importance. This means when it comes to local importance they are unparalleled. This is something we should be looking after, not just now but long into the future.”

To view Chris’s excellent video, click here. Please continue to share and forward it!

Show House, 21 April 2017: Developers, planners and local planning authorities in East and West Sussex and West Kent have been left scratching their heads after a decision by one council has called into question all new development in the area. Wealden District Council has confirmed that as a result of their continued assessment of nitrogen deposits in the Ashdown Forest Special Area of Conservation (SAC), there will be no development permitted unless it can be shown that the proposed scheme won’t generate any additional vehicle movements. The announcement comes after a High Court decision last month that traffic movements in the Ashdown Forest SAC have already cumulatively breached Natural England’s threshold for acceptable levels of traffic.

BBC Radio Solent, 21 April 2017: Naturalist and TV presenter Chris Packham speaks to BBC Radio Solent about why he opposes Eastleigh Borough Council’s plans for 6,000 homes and a new road in Fair Oak and Bishopstoke (namely options B and C of its Local Plan). He has previously described the plans as “eco-vandalism”. He says: “The Itchen floodplain is of national and international importance as a chalk stream. Both the waterway and all of its tributaries and the surrounding meadows – and surrounding ancient woodland – are of national importance. This means when it comes to local importance they are unparalleled. This is something we should be looking after, not just now but long into the future.”

ADD UPDATE, 21 April 2017: Ahead of the Hampshire County Council (HCC) elections on 4 May, ADD has invited each candidate for each ward that will be impacted by options B and C of Eastleigh Borough Council’s Local Plan (namely its plans for 6,000+ houses and a major new road north of Bishopstoke and Fair Oak) to submit an article of no more than 100 words that describes their position with regards to this proposed major development area.

On 21 April, Dave Hubble, Green candidate for Bishopstoke and Fair Oak, sent us the following email:

“I oppose development Options B & C for several reasons. Firstly, direct damage and destruction of local habitats, with remaining areas being isolated, over-used and degraded. Secondly, worsening air quality with increased traffic congestion. Thirdly, even more strain on already over-stretched infrastructure and services. I have asked for details of surveys and mitigation, but have received nothing but stock replies. It has clearly been led by the wishes of developers and their contacts in Eastleigh Borough Council, not by the needs of local people and a sustainable future. I fully support the ADD campaign and encourage others to get involved.”

Dave Hubble, Green candidate for Bishopstoke and Fair Oak

ADD UPDATE, 17 April 2017: Ahead of the Hampshire County Council (HCC) elections on 4 May, ADD has invited each candidate for each ward that will be impacted by options B and C of Eastleigh Borough Council’s Local Plan (namely its plans for 6,000+ houses and a major new road north of Bishopstoke and Fair Oak) to submit an article of no more than 100 words that describes their position with regards to this proposed major development area.

On 17 April, John Edwards, UKIP candidate for Bishopstoke and Fair Oak, sent us the following email:

“You can rely on me to fight for a public enquiry to:

• Call to account councillors and officers responsible for planning decisions that are harming the borough.
• I also call for a moratorium on current and prospective planning / building of housing developments until a proper plan is in place.
• Hampshire County Council to explain the failure to provide for the predicted increase in traffic.
• Southern Water to explain the failing infrastructure amidst a growing population.
• Environmental groups must be heard. They have voiced concerns about the impact of developments on the local environment.

“In the event of a public enquiry being denied, I shall campaign for a local referendum that I would expect to attract cross party support and that of independently minded people.”

John Edwards, UKIP candidate for Bishopstoke and Fair Oak

ADD UPDATE, 15 April 2017: Ahead of the Hampshire County Council (HCC) elections on 4 May, ADD has invited each candidate for each ward that will be impacted by options B and C of Eastleigh Borough Council’s Local Plan (namely its plans for 6,000+ houses and a major new road north of Bishopstoke and Fair Oak) to submit an article of no more than 100 words that describes their position with regards to this proposed major development area.

On 14 April, Louise Anne Parker-Jones, Independent candidate for Bishopstoke and Fair Oak, sent us the following email:

“I’ve supported ADD since its inception. You’ve probably seen me delivering leaflets or speaking against the proposals at public meetings. Stoke Park and the Itchen make Bishopstoke and Fair Oak special and should be protected for future generations. I believe options B and C will:

• devastate ancient woodland and wildlife
• increase road misery
• overburden school, health and other local services

“Motivated by the lack of regard for local people’s views, I stood successfully as an Independent councillor for Bishopstoke Parish Council last year. Please make a difference: give people a local voice by voting Independent.”

Lou Parker-Jones, Independent candidate for Bishopstoke and Fair Oak

ADD UPDATE, 13 April 2017: Ahead of the Hampshire County Council (HCC) elections on 4 May, ADD has invited each candidate for each ward that will be impacted by options B and C of Eastleigh Borough Council’s Local Plan (namely its plans for 6,000+ houses and a major new road north of Bishopstoke and Fair Oak) to submit an article of no more than 100 words that describes their position with regards to this proposed major development area.

On 12 April, Steven Broomfield, Conservative candidate for Bishopstoke and Fair Oak, sent us the following email:

“We have a real spectre – thousands of houses on green fields with no thought to infrastructure. There’s no connection with our neighbours – Winchester City Council are as worried as we are. Last year, Winchester Lib Dems put out leaflets decrying Eastleigh’s plans.

“The roadworks in Sandy Lane – sewage, drainage and water supply not sufficient for the Crowdhill development… you couldn’t make it up.

“Eastleigh council must stop approving piecemeal developments and come up with a decent, workable, sustainable plan.”

Steven Broomfield
Conservative candidate for Bishopstoke and Fair Oak