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‘6,000-home plan would be disaster’
IT will destroy our communities, devastate the environment and bring our roads to a grinding halt.
That was the overwhelming message from more than 500 residents last night, outraged at proposals to create a new town in the Hampshire countryside.
Campaigners turned out in force at a public meeting called by Botley Parish Council to demand plans to build 6,000 homes on the outskirts of Hedge End are scrapped.
The development, which forms part of the South East Plan, is designed to ease the region's housing crisis.
Although the final figures are still subject to consultation, the government wants to see nearly 83,000 new homes built across south Hampshire by 2026.
Disastrous'
Many of those would be built in two strategic development areas - one near Fareham and the other to the north/north-east of Hedge End.
Residents in Hedge End, Botley and smaller nearby villages say the whole scheme would be disastrous for the area, destroying its rural feel, and are upset at the "cloak and dagger" way it has been proposed.
"One of our grounds for arguing against this is that it should have had local consultation, but that didn't happen," said David Gussman, from the Botley Parish Action Group.
"It's going to cause a logistical nightmare, doubling the number of cars on the roads around the area.
"The water supply can't cope at the moment, and common sense says building even more homes isn't the right thing to do. All the water will have to be desalinated - how much will that cost?
"And there's a mammoth environmental cost they haven't even considered."
Last night's meeting also heard fears that a £40m link road between the new development and junction eight of the M27 would carve through the historic Manor Farm Country Park.
However, Eastleigh Borough Council leader Keith House told residents it is just one of several proposals that have been "put forward by supposed experts" that will never become reality.
"It's not going to happen on our watch," he said.
"A road that did that would carve open what gap there is between Hedge End and Botley and would be an open invitation to the next round of developers."
9:25am Friday 1st August 2008
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CommentPosted by: Son of Fred, 197-361 on 10:00am Fri 1 Aug 08
"Keith House told residents it is just one of several proposals that have been "put forward by supposed experts" that will never become reality."
"[bold]It's not going to happen in my back yard,[/bold] " he said.
The Lib Dems answer to a shortage of affordable housing is to continue to overdevelop the centre of Eastleigh with 1 and 2 bedroom shoeboxes.
"Keith House told residents it is just one of several proposals that have been "put forward by supposed experts" that will never become reality."
"
It's not going to happen in my back yard, " he said.
The Lib Dems answer to a shortage of affordable housing is to continue to overdevelop the centre of Eastleigh with 1 and 2 bedroom shoeboxes.
Posted by: Jonathan, Southampton on 10:12am Fri 1 Aug 08
It's good to see that people are finally waking up to the negative impacts of the South East Plan. These residents are right to be worried, but it's not just those who live in the immediate vicinity that will be affected.
The imposition of sky-high housing targets by central government without any consideration for infrastructure or service provision is quite unacceptable, and will land future generations with massive problems (water shortages, gridlock on the roads, overstretched services and a total lack of options for further development).
A rethink is needed.
It's good to see that people are finally waking up to the negative impacts of the South East Plan. These residents are right to be worried, but it's not just those who live in the immediate vicinity that will be affected.
The imposition of sky-high housing targets by central government without any consideration for infrastructure or service provision is quite unacceptable, and will land future generations with massive problems (water shortages, gridlock on the roads, overstretched services and a total lack of options for further development).
A rethink is needed.
Posted by: hulla, baloo on 10:26am Fri 1 Aug 08
"..designed to ease the region's housing crisis"
How about doping something to ease the regions crisis of congested roads, before adding to it.
J7 and J8 of M27 and surrounding area is a nightmare already, without adding to it.
"..designed to ease the region's housing crisis"
How about doping something to ease the regions crisis of congested roads, before adding to it.
J7 and J8 of M27 and surrounding area is a nightmare already, without adding to it.
Posted by: hulla, baloo on 10:27am Fri 1 Aug 08
Sorry. Meant doing, not doping.
But on the other hand.....
Sorry. Meant doing, not doping.
But on the other hand.....
Posted by: Condor Man, Southampton on 10:44am Fri 1 Aug 08
Typical Lib Dum lack of vision. Considering that Grange Park was fields 25 years ago they are not exactly in a position to complain. In order to provide decent housing in a good environment they should build between Grange Park and Horton Heath and stop the over development of already congested town centres.
Typical Lib Dum lack of vision. Considering that Grange Park was fields 25 years ago they are not exactly in a position to complain. In order to provide decent housing in a good environment they should build between Grange Park and Horton Heath and stop the over development of already congested town centres.
Posted by: Roy S, Southampton on 10:56am Fri 1 Aug 08
I think that the 'credit crunch' will stop this going ahead.
I think that the 'credit crunch' will stop this going ahead.
Posted by: Stuart Jebbitt, Eastleigh on 12:30pm Fri 1 Aug 08
There's plenty of existing empty housing around -
It's called the NORTH.
Either that or we could take back Calais and Normandy and build there instead.
There's plenty of existing empty housing around -
It's called the NORTH.
Either that or we could take back Calais and Normandy and build there instead.
Posted by: Stuart Jebbitt, Eastleigh on 12:33pm Fri 1 Aug 08
I'll be moving anyway, as it'll be so crowded, the quality of life here will just spiral downwards.
Plus of course, I'll be wanting to escape the Fluoride and an early death from Fluoride induced cancer.
I'll be moving anyway, as it'll be so crowded, the quality of life here will just spiral downwards.
Plus of course, I'll be wanting to escape the Fluoride and an early death from Fluoride induced cancer.
Posted by: Indignant, Hedge End on 1:24pm Fri 1 Aug 08
Highway plan from "supposed experts" eh!? What I got from the meeting was that the "plans" were on the back of an envelope followed by a sham consultation.... and then [bold]experts[/bold] who point out the implications of this folly are rubbished ! - South Hampshire - at the forefront of the knowledge economy !!! Not like this
Highway plan from "supposed experts" eh!? What I got from the meeting was that the "plans" were on the back of an envelope followed by a sham consultation.... and then
experts who point out the implications of this folly are rubbished ! - South Hampshire - at the forefront of the knowledge economy !!! Not like this
Posted by: the big dog on 1:30pm Fri 1 Aug 08
Why don't they just bulldoze the whole area flat and start again?
Why don't they just bulldoze the whole area flat and start again?
Posted by: vanilla ice on 1:34pm Fri 1 Aug 08
[bold]Ice rink!!!!![/bold]
Posted by: Botley Resident, Botley on 2:37pm Fri 1 Aug 08
Once again, numbers first, planning afterwards. When will we get joined up writing with this government.
Once again, numbers first, planning afterwards. When will we get joined up writing with this government.
Posted by: bobsey, Southampton on 2:47pm Fri 1 Aug 08
I don't expect Keith House told the meeting he is on the South East Development Committee. Also, what have Eastleigh Lib Dems do about it, since they knew all about this in 2005, they kept that quiet. They are happy to let every garden open space be built on in Hedge End.
The sent around a leaflet blaming everything on Hants CC as usual, attack is the best form of defence for them. They also need to get out more, they say they turned down plans for a Oil exploration site on the outskirts of Hedge End, why? there is no logical reason why a oil exploration site will cause a problem, perhaps they were not around when the last one was done, alongside the motorway, you cannot see any sign that it was there now.
They are as bad as Mr Blair all gimmicks and wasted money.
I don't expect Keith House told the meeting he is on the South East Development Committee. Also, what have Eastleigh Lib Dems do about it, since they knew all about this in 2005, they kept that quiet. They are happy to let every garden open space be built on in Hedge End.
The sent around a leaflet blaming everything on Hants CC as usual, attack is the best form of defence for them. They also need to get out more, they say they turned down plans for a Oil exploration site on the outskirts of Hedge End, why? there is no logical reason why a oil exploration site will cause a problem, perhaps they were not around when the last one was done, alongside the motorway, you cannot see any sign that it was there now.
They are as bad as Mr Blair all gimmicks and wasted money.
Posted by: Tragic on 2:48pm Fri 1 Aug 08
What is disgusting is half the fields down there are used for Horses, cows, corn, grass, and other grazing.
This will all be wiped out for idiots that live in this area that commute to london everyday, sad inviduals that will die at 50.
What is disgusting is half the fields down there are used for Horses, cows, corn, grass, and other grazing.
This will all be wiped out for idiots that live in this area that commute to london everyday, sad inviduals that will die at 50.
Posted by: Pat Seward, Four Marks on 4:06pm Fri 1 Aug 08
I have been a Parish Councillor for 21 years and a District Councillor for 5
Horton Heath is down in the Hampshire Structure Plan 1996-2011 as a major development area.
I don't know how close it is to hedge End but if you think it a better site then put that forward in the Consultation of the South East Plan before the 24th October.
Hedge End became the Strategic Development Area in the South East Plan which has been going through consultations for 3 years.
You cannot say you were not consulted, as everyone was in the South East of England.
The leaflets were every where.
If you think Horton Heath is preferable, then let SEERA know.
I fear saying no to any development at this late stage is not going to wash.
I have been a Parish Councillor for 21 years and a District Councillor for 5
Horton Heath is down in the Hampshire Structure Plan 1996-2011 as a major development area.
I don't know how close it is to hedge End but if you think it a better site then put that forward in the Consultation of the South East Plan before the 24th October.
Hedge End became the Strategic Development Area in the South East Plan which has been going through consultations for 3 years.
You cannot say you were not consulted, as everyone was in the South East of England.
The leaflets were every where.
If you think Horton Heath is preferable, then let SEERA know.
I fear saying no to any development at this late stage is not going to wash.
Posted by: molly bennett, southampton on 4:24pm Fri 1 Aug 08
[quote][bold]Pat Seward[/bold] wrote:
I have been a Parish Councillor for 21 years and a District Councillor for 5
Horton Heath is down in the Hampshire Structure Plan 1996-2011 as a major development area.
I don\'t know how close it is to hedge End but if you think it a better site then put that forward in the Consultation of the South East Plan before the 24th October.
Hedge End became the Strategic Development Area in the South East Plan which has been going through consultations for 3 years.
You cannot say you were not consulted, as everyone was in the South East of England.
The leaflets were every where.
If you think Horton Heath is preferable, then let SEERA know.
I fear saying no to any development at this late stage is not going to wash.
[/quote] excuse me but did I not understand last year that SEERA (the unelected quango) had been disbanded? or have we been lied to again!
Pat Seward wrote:
I have been a Parish Councillor for 21 years and a District Councillor for 5
Horton Heath is down in the Hampshire Structure Plan 1996-2011 as a major development area.
I don\'t know how close it is to hedge End but if you think it a better site then put that forward in the Consultation of the South East Plan before the 24th October.
Hedge End became the Strategic Development Area in the South East Plan which has been going through consultations for 3 years.
You cannot say you were not consulted, as everyone was in the South East of England.
The leaflets were every where.
If you think Horton Heath is preferable, then let SEERA know.
I fear saying no to any development at this late stage is not going to wash.
excuse me but did I not understand last year that SEERA (the unelected quango) had been disbanded? or have we been lied to again!
Posted by: THE BRICK, Southampton on 5:10pm Fri 1 Aug 08
We don't need 6,000 houses but I need only one home, [bold]an ice rink[/bold] , that'll do me, because that's where I came from.
Give me what I want and then I'll go away!
We don't need 6,000 houses but I need only one home,
an ice rink , that'll do me, because that's where I came from.
Give me what I want and then I'll go away!
Posted by: ha, new forest on 6:51pm Fri 1 Aug 08
I bet these morons would support development of Dibden Bay. So go stew in your own juice idiots. Put a dockside in Hedge End while you are at it. Keep away from us in Dibden.
I bet these morons would support development of Dibden Bay. So go stew in your own juice idiots. Put a dockside in Hedge End while you are at it. Keep away from us in Dibden.
Posted by: Derek, Dibden Purlieu on 8:23pm Fri 1 Aug 08
[quote][bold]ha[/bold] wrote:
I bet these morons would support development of Dibden Bay. So go stew in your own juice idiots. Put a dockside in Hedge End while you are at it. Keep away from us in Dibden.[/quote] Well said ha. Perhaps this housing development is for the benefit of the 1800 workers that Dibden Bay is going to need. I wonder if Pieinthesky.com is behind this proposal as well?
ha wrote:
I bet these morons would support development of Dibden Bay. So go stew in your own juice idiots. Put a dockside in Hedge End while you are at it. Keep away from us in Dibden.
Well said ha. Perhaps this housing development is for the benefit of the 1800 workers that Dibden Bay is going to need. I wonder if Pieinthesky.com is behind this proposal as well?
Posted by: Prince Vultan, Kingdom of Mongo on 9:45pm Fri 1 Aug 08
[Quote from echo]However, Eastleigh Borough Council leader Keith House told residents it is just one of several proposals that have been "put forward by supposed experts" that will never become reality.
Well with the Liberal Developmentcrats being in overall control on the council, it wouldn't surprise me in the slighted if several thousand more homes appear.
However, Eastleigh Borough Council leader Keith House told residents it is just one of several proposals that have been "put forward by supposed experts" that will never become reality.
Well with the Liberal Developmentcrats being in overall control on the council, it wouldn't surprise me in the slighted if several thousand more homes appear.
Posted by: southy, redbridge on 9:53pm Fri 1 Aug 08
maybe its time to stop people owning more than 1 home, if some owns more than 1 home then maybe they should be treated has a company.
maybe its time to stop people owning more than 1 home, if some owns more than 1 home then maybe they should be treated has a company.
Posted by: James, Wellow on 10:00pm Fri 1 Aug 08
[quote][bold]southy[/bold] wrote:
maybe its time to stop people owning more than 1 home, if some owns more than 1 home then maybe they should be treated has a company.[/quote] Southy
How many cans have you had?
southy wrote:
maybe its time to stop people owning more than 1 home, if some owns more than 1 home then maybe they should be treated has a company.
Southy
How many cans have you had?
Posted by: Derek, Dibden Purlieu on 10:38pm Fri 1 Aug 08
[quote][bold]southy[/bold] wrote:
maybe its time to stop people owning more than 1 home, if some owns more than 1 home then maybe they should be treated has a company.[/quote] How much kudos can be gained from owning a second home in Hedge End? Get a grip man.
southy wrote:
maybe its time to stop people owning more than 1 home, if some owns more than 1 home then maybe they should be treated has a company.
How much kudos can be gained from owning a second home in Hedge End? Get a grip man.
Posted by: southy, redbridge on 11:36pm Fri 1 Aug 08
well stop moaning because they might build a housing estate on your door step.people need a roof over there heads.
well stop moaning because they might build a housing estate on your door step.people need a roof over there heads.
Posted by: Toad, Bishops Waltham on 7:33am Sat 2 Aug 08
[quote][bold]Pat Seward[/bold] wrote:
I have been a Parish Councillor for 21 years and a District Councillor for 5
Horton Heath is down in the Hampshire Structure Plan 1996-2011 as a major development area.
I don't know how close it is to hedge End but if you think it a better site then put that forward in the Consultation of the South East Plan before the 24th October.
Hedge End became the Strategic Development Area in the South East Plan which has been going through consultations for 3 years.
You cannot say you were not consulted, as everyone was in the South East of England.
The leaflets were every where.
If you think Horton Heath is preferable, then let SEERA know.
I fear saying no to any development at this late stage is not going to wash.
[/quote] What a nob! He's been a PC for 21 years and a DC for five years and doesn't "know how close it (Horton Heath) is to Hedge End"! Arriving from a devastated Zimbabwe as I did seven years ago, even I know how geographically close the two are. Jeez, give me strength!
Pat Seward wrote:
I have been a Parish Councillor for 21 years and a District Councillor for 5
Horton Heath is down in the Hampshire Structure Plan 1996-2011 as a major development area.
I don't know how close it is to hedge End but if you think it a better site then put that forward in the Consultation of the South East Plan before the 24th October.
Hedge End became the Strategic Development Area in the South East Plan which has been going through consultations for 3 years.
You cannot say you were not consulted, as everyone was in the South East of England.
The leaflets were every where.
If you think Horton Heath is preferable, then let SEERA know.
I fear saying no to any development at this late stage is not going to wash.
What a nob! He's been a PC for 21 years and a DC for five years and doesn't "know how close it (Horton Heath) is to Hedge End"! Arriving from a devastated Zimbabwe as I did seven years ago, even I know how geographically close the two are. Jeez, give me strength!
Posted by: Graham, Botley on 11:35am Sun 3 Aug 08
I think Mr House tells Porky's He has known and agreed to this proposal as both he and his partener are on the PUSH & SEEDA. They knew about this proposal a long time ago, did they tell the council tax payers (Who pay their inflated salaries) or voters NO as usual just try to blame it on the Tories. A recent bit of Lib Dem Rubbish produced by Rupert Kyrle, posted through my door did exactly this ... Inaccurately blamed the Tories at HCC. They have nothing to do with it as the Lib Dem's well know. Interesting they did not mention an iota about this plan in the May local election dribble they produced. (More Porky's). About time we all stood up and voted them out.
I think Mr House tells Porky's He has known and agreed to this proposal as both he and his partener are on the PUSH & SEEDA. They knew about this proposal a long time ago, did they tell the council tax payers (Who pay their inflated salaries) or voters NO as usual just try to blame it on the Tories. A recent bit of Lib Dem Rubbish produced by Rupert Kyrle, posted through my door did exactly this ... Inaccurately blamed the Tories at HCC. They have nothing to do with it as the Lib Dem's well know. Interesting they did not mention an iota about this plan in the May local election dribble they produced. (More Porky's). About time we all stood up and voted them out.
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