TM Emsworth Residents’ Association THEEMS Community Newspaper In this issue First published in 1977 Summer 2019 St George’s Day p29 EHS Summer Show p21 Princess Royal’s visit p11 The Ems Victory at Westwood Close asked Cllr Richard – but residents fear an Kennet for his comments appeal by developers on the refusal By David Harris The announcement of the On 13 May 2019 Havant Borough Council (HBC) refused permission for refusal of planning permission planning application APP/18/00672 which sought to build 39 dwellings, for Westwood Close was most welcome. This is testament divert a footpath and fell trees on a plot of land off Westwood Close, to the hard work of residents adjacent to the River Ems and the Sussex Border Path. and councillors on both sides of the Emsworth/Westbourne It is worth quoting from the first paragraph of the decision notice: continue to support the Westwood Close group and inform readers border in challenging “The proposal represents the unsustainable addition of residential about this and other major planning applications. what was clearly a most development in a non-urban area for which there is no overriding The mood is Westwood Close is subdued and will remain so until justification.” November when the six month window for an appeal will hopefully unsuitable site in the first The HBC planners also noted that the application, have passed. Westwood Close is just one battle that has been fought place. It is excellent that this “is likely to have an adverse impact on internationally designated and hopefully won. A much bigger battle remains to be fought when an tranquil green space enjoyed ecological sites” application for development at Long Copse Lane is submitted. by walkers and other groups “The proposal would result in harm to the setting of footpath 73 and the landscape corridor through which it flows. Given that the develop- will remain unspoilt. ment would make only a modest contribution to meeting the Borough’s housing need it is not considered that the benefits of the proposal would The decision hopefully outweigh the impact to the setting of Footpath 73 and the landscape provides some reassurance corridor” The planners also made adverse comments about the proposed loss that developers’ efforts to of trees and the fact that part of the access road to some plots was concrete across remaining within a flood plain. The planners also made the point that the devel- green space in Emsworth will opers sought and were provided with pre-application advice and were updated about issues. not always be successful, The planning application was originally lodged in July 2018 and and gives heart to those attracted 273 objections. The full 54 page delegated report spells out of us campaigning against in enormous detail the rationale behind the decision to refuse plan- other inappropriate and ning permission. The application was lodged on behalf of Hampshire Land Ltd whose office address is near Romsey. Hampshire Land is unsustainable development. part of Hampshire Homes Group who have undertaken developments in Southampton, Windsor and Hambrook. According to the original Councillor planning application the land is owned by a Mr Huxham who lives in Richard Kennett, Hassocks, West Sussex. It is believed that the land is currently rented Emsworth for grazing purposes to a local farmer. Anton Madina Ward, Chair The HBC planners are to be congratulated on their diligence in putting and Ronin will be of Governance, together such a strong case to refuse this unwanted application. Their able to continue Audit and decision to refuse was not taken lightly as an appeal could cost HBC a Finance Board, large amount of money if it went against the Council. enjoying their Havant Borough The Ems and the Emsworth Residents’ Association have supported walks along the Council the Westwood Close action group from the very beginning and up- Border Path dates have appeared in every edition since Autumn 2018. The Ems will Page 2 www.emsworthresidents.org Summer 2019 Emsworth Residents’ Association Obituary: Jo Dyer (1942 – 2019) Chairman’s report Chair of ERA 2015 - 2017 Words by Theo Schofield, Chair of the Emsworth Residents’ Words and picture by Charles Ashe, ERA Association Jo was born in Portsmouth and in public and being the public face This edition of the EMS contains reports their portal. We left school at 15. She did a which such a role entailed. from the many groups and societies that were also told secretarial course at night Her determination that give so much to Emsworth. Thanks again to that, “The devil is school, and held various Emsworth should have a all the contributors and to David Harris, our in the detail”, and secretarial posts, becom- Residents’ Association editor. that issues about value for money and future ing manager of an estate was her overriding risks remain to be resolved, but were not agents at 22. She joined concern. Planning and traffic thought to be insurmountable. It is expected Portsmouth City Council Jo led us for two years The Residents’ Association has continued to that the full business case will be approved in 1970 and worked in and put the ERA back represent Emsworth, particularly in relation in October, and that work will start on the committee administra- on an even keel. She to planning, and Charles Ashe is our very site in early 2020. All the stakeholders ex- tion with the Planning was determined that capable spokesperson. He will be making pressed their full support for the projec Services Committee. Jo Emsworth’s views were submissions to the inspector reviewing the left Portsmouth in 1975, to be heard and debated Havant Local Plan, particularly about the Hayling Island and Emsworth for Havant Borough Council at a time when there were sites in Emsworth that are inappropriate for (HBC), where she remained many planning proposals development. One issue that is concerning is Primary Care Network. until retiring in 1996. that would affect our communi- the increasing traffic, particularly along the Meeting on 15 July 2019 Whilst at HBC she studied with the A259, which affects the town and divides its The other exciting development in local Open University, obtaining a BA in 1980. centre. The Havant Local Plan contains pro- healthcare is that as part of the NHS Long “Jo’s first concern was not for Studying with the Open University, as posals for new housing, and The Chichester Term Plan individual practices will be joined herself, it was for Emsworth” with going to night school after she left Local Plan includes even more development in local networks to provide a wider range of school, showed her determination and ty. However, during 2017-2018, it became in the coastal corridor, but there has been services, and that Emsworth will be working self-discipline. apparent that her health was beginning to no coordination between the two Councils. together with Hayling Island. The Clinical When her husband Jim passed away in deteriorate. Roads are the responsibility of County Director of the Network, Dr Hannah Morgan 2010, Jo was so grateful for the help and Last summer she was determined that she Councils, and the A27 is the responsibility of will be coming to the next ERA Quarterly support given by The Rosemary Foundation, wanted to help out on the ERA stand at the the Highways Agency. The ERA is therefore General Meeting at 7.30 p.m. on Monday (a hospice at home service). With time on Emsworth Show. I was trying to find ways of working with others to develop a coordinat- 15 July to share their early thoughts about her hands, she volunteered at the Rosemary gently declining her offer as it was apparent ed response to this issue. We would welcome their plans, and to listen to our own thoughts Foundation, updating information on the she was not well, and I did not think spend- hearing residents’ ideas and concerns about and concerns. Dr Abu Chinwala from the computer systems and helping out at their ing part of the day there would help. Then this issue. Emsworth Practice will also be coming. Petersfield office. I realised that she probably thought that it Emsworth Surgery Social Media Coordinator Jo believed that the ERA had an important would be her last shot at this event, and she I have attended the first meeting of the Finally, Ali Couch, who was formerly part to play in voicing the concerns of the was determined to be there. Stakeholder Group of the new Emsworth Communications Manager for Portsmouth local residents. In her position in the ERA, Jo In March when she was in hospital, we Surgery project, along with representatives University, responded to our advertisement had been a great supporter of the Emsworth were having a conversation, and she said of the other membership organisations in for help to coordinate the ERA’s social me- Design Statement, and was closely involved ‘now Charles what are we going to do about the town, and our Councillors. We heard dia. Her plans are described on page three. with its compilation. She was insistent that this local plan?’ ‘Jo, don’t worry about that, that the Outline Business Case for the refur- This is an opportunity for the ERA to reach any planning applications within the conser- perhaps we can have a talk about it when you bishment of the Emsworth Victoria Cottage out to a wider number of our members, and vation area should meet the requirements get home’. I did wonder if we ever would, as Hospital has been approved by the NHS particularly for us to receive feedback and of this statement.