'Here's Another Fine Mess They've Gotten Us Into'
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CONSERVATIVES – Two decades of exceptional civic service TITCHFIELDIn & TITCHFIELDTouch COMMON – Spring 2019 ‘Here’s another fine mess they’ve gotten us into’ pend the Draft Plan and take it back to the drawing board. Keith Evans led fierce Council opposition to the changes, but IT READS like a Laurel and Hardy farce, but for intensive lobbying of Housing Minister Kit Malthouse and senior Fareham planners the mess they have been gotten civil servants by the Council Leader and Fareham and Gosport into by the Government is no laughing matter. MPs fell on deaf ears. In less than a year, yet more green fields have come under threat He stated: “Government ignored our objections and is proceed- as Whitehall demands the Borough Council finds space for up to ing with the new mechanisms – although it conceded on one point 2,500 extra homes. and will introduce the measuring against new numbers effectively And these come on top of the 2,300 houses we have already from 2020 rather than being backdated. been forced to add to the new Draft Plan 2011-2036. “We are working through the numbers, but it looks certain to “What an awful Government-inspired mess this has been,” said be in the range of 1,800 to 2,500 more houses above the original Executive Member for Planning and Development Councillor additional 2,300 – an enormous increase and one which will have Keith Evans. to be met in the main from further new greenfield sites.” To meet the original target of 2,300, the Council proposed hav- Fortunately, the suspended Draft Plan remains valid while the ing as much brownfield development as possible, plus large new Council confirms the extra numbers and evaluates all the remain- greenfield sites in Warsash, Portchester, Titchfield Common and ing green space in Fareham. South Fareham, which sparked furious protests from residents. Residents are being consulted on site options which will be The dust hadn’t settled before Whitehall moved the goal posts merged into the current Draft Plan before a new plan is issued again with a new formula to calculate housing need, a stronger for public comment in the autumn/winter 2019. obligation to take up unmet housing need from nearby councils Keith Evans added: “Fortunately, we have a good knowledgeable and severe penalties for non-planning approval or non-delivery. team of planning officers who are helping to minimise delays and The mess became a mire and led to the Council having to sus- the additional costs.” Celebrating 20 years of outstanding Conservative administration FAREHAM Council is the most district councils, high quality envy of every local author- parks, leisure facilities, a good refuse ity in Hampshire and way collection service and, as far as we beyond. can, clean streets. Conservatives have brought “We support local commerce and consistency, stability and prosperity industry with fantastic business fa- since taking over running the Bor- cilities, including our industrial es- ough 20 years ago from the failed tates and business parks at Solent Lib Dem/Labour pact that left the Airport@Daedalus. Council facing bankruptcy. “We invest in commercial prop- The anniversary on May 4 was celebrated with a party at Port- erty to raise millions of pounds to deliver excellent services and chester Parish Hall, attended by nearly 100 councillors, one for- work with others to bring huge road infrastructure investment in mer and two sitting MPs, party workers and supporters. our Borough. It also marked the date that Seán Woodward was elected as its “We treat taxpayers’ money as it should be treated – to be dynamic Council Leader. spent only as necessary and always prudently. He said Fareham had steadfastly voted Conservative because “It takes a great deal of planning and delivery. We have an excel- the Council was seen to be delivering for local people. lent team of officers who deliver for our residents day after day. I “We have consistently set the lowest taxes and best services of am so grateful to them for their work.” Almost England’s lowest district council tax – thanks to CONSERVATIVES 2 InTouch 42,000 people use Holly Hill Leisure Centre every week. CONSERVATIVES promised it. We delivered. InTouch 3 30 new jobs to be created New play treat in store for village kids Seeds sown for this year’s show as top aviation company NEWS TITCHFIELD kids can’t wait to get THIS year’s ‘Fareham in expands in Fareham their hands on the exciting new Bloom’ competition was ROUND equipment at Barry’s Meadow launched with a popular shown in this illustration. ‘Bloom Day’ in Fareham After last year’s consultations, the Borough Shopping Centre. Weed spraying under way Council has awarded the contract to Wick- Organised by the Council’s Parks The County Council is scheduled to start weed steed, who will carry out the works which Department, over 1,000 wild flower spraying in Fareham from the beginning of May will take place around autumn time. seed packets were given away, in the Burridge/Swanwick area. The junior multi climbing unit will be children were able to make masks Contractors will work west to east through replaced, the black stepping stones will be and grown-ups a bird feeder using the Borough to complete Fareham by the end replaced with a 4 seater springy, and the willow. of May. rotator will be replaced with a new spinner. The event was supported by St Margaret’s Nursery. This is much earlier than the last few years and Existing equipment will be painted and the PHOTO (l to r): Bridget and Geoff Thickett, Connie Hockey and Jean should be more effective. play area will receive a general tidy up. Kingdom. Spraying can only take place in dry and calm conditions so there may be delays to the in- tended programme. Fresh venture and a prestige award White lines repainted Y-SERVICES hole Crescent, which they had taken over from the Bor- •Training facility for young people, including opportunities St Margaret’s roundabout on the A27 between started the ough Council, and is pictured below with chairman of to enhance their CVs, learn new skills and develop confi- Fareham and the M27 has for several years year with two trustees Andy Kennedy. dence to be ‘job ready’. played its part in helping traffic to flow safely A FAMOUS British aero com- high profile The dilapidated former Victorian isolation hospital and •Drop-in facility for young people requiring support by a through the five joining roads. pany is investing heavily in achievements. physiotherapy unit had lain empty for 5 years and need- youth worker or other professional. Recently the white traffic lines on the round- Fareham with a new plant. After hearing ed an immense amount of work to restore, which was •Creative arts and crafts sessions for the community, Percival Aviation’s new site in Cart- about started to diminish and need repainting. about their work, achieved by the Y-Services team and local volunteers. Opening times are Monday 1-3pm, Tuesday 4-6pm, County Councillor Geoff Hockley pursued the wright Drive, Segensworth will cre- Hampshire High Sheriff Mark Thistlethwayte visited the Among the facilities, it will provide: Wednesday 1-3pm and the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the ate jobs and strengthen the Fareham matter and received an apology and the work charity, meeting volunteers, workers and trustees. • Community month 9-10.30am. has now been done. economy. As a result, Y-Services for Young People received a High scrap store. Local Volunteers are needed to expand the service. Contact The good news was welcomed by Sheriff of Hampshire Award at a ceremony in the Great companies donate Connie Hockley who will pass on your details to Y-Services. Titchfield Councillor Connie Hockley Planning appeal victory Hall in Winchester on March 20. surplus materials MAIN PHOTO: Connie Hockley, Maria Calway-Ken- Residents and Fareham Council are celebrating a and Fareham MP Suella Braverman Councillor Connie Hockley said: “Congratulations to to be reused for nedy, Dr Clifford Williams, Alderman Brian Bayford, who attended the ground breaking notable planning victory. everyone involved with this special charity – a very well art and crafts proj- Fareham Mayor Susan Bayford, trustees chairman Foreman Homes’ appeal to build up to 150 ceremony in March. deserved award.” ects by nurseries, Andy Kennedy (holding award), Prad Bains (a trustee) Connie Hockley said: “The UK has new homes east of Posbrook Lane was dis- Earlier, she had opened Y-Services’ scrapstore in Frost- schools, youth clubs. and Kyle Dear. missed by the planning inspector. a hugely successful aviation industry He stressed the effect of the development on and I am delighted that Fareham is the character and appearance of the area and playing an important part in that, with the setting of Great Posbrook and the southern ‘Big Belly’ has huge appetite for litter Bikers ignore Haven path cycling ban our local aviation offering going from barn at Great Posbrook Farm, Grade 2 listed TWO new smart bins have been installed in the Borough as part of a THOUGHTLESS bikers are ig- Titchfield strength to strength. buildings. trial to help reduce the amount of litter. noring ‘No Cycling’ signs along Haven viewing It will double Percival Aviation’s He concluded; “The proposed development The bins, nicknamed the ‘Big Belly’, replaced another brand of solar bins at Holly Hill Titchfield Haven canal path. area path has capacity as it continues to make sig- would result in material harm to the character play area and Passage Lane car park in Warsash. Councillor Geoff Hockley says the ban been repaired nificant investment in technology, staff and appearance of the area which would result They can hold up to 808 litres and compact the litter several times a day, so more can was made to prevent accidents.