HAYLING ISLAND RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION (HIRA)

- Wed 19th May 2004

Minutes of Executive Committee Meeting held at the Sunnyside Hall, Tuesday 11th May 2004




Present: Paul Fisher (PF- Chairman), Dave Turvey (DT), C Richards (CR – NEHRA), Lois Neale (LN), Robert Blindell (RB – New Planning Officer)




1. Apologies - Shirley Adams, Fred Gibson, Tony Higham, Councillors.




2. Presentation by Brights Lane Residents in opposition to the Hermitage Housing proposal to build four new houses in the area currently occupied by lock-up garages and a recreational green on land in the close owned by the Association. The four houses in question were designed for families of up to 5 people.




Miss Helen Clare and her partner had mad a request to the committee to allow their views on the above matter to be heard, since they felt that HIRA may have some influence with HBC. (Note – they had wished to attend the April meeting, but there had been a misunderstanding about the meeting venue).




Summary of points made:




1. Parking problems


Whilst 2 parking spaces were to be designated for the new houses, according to the plans, there would be no net increase in the car parking facilities for the residents in the area, which is already severely overcrowded with cars. It was felt that inadequate thought had been given to the problems of parking in the area, with assessments having been made in daytime only. (Note 1. None of the houses in the area have integral garages or space for hard standing in front to the houses. Note 2. Cars are need by residents, since buses are infrequent, the pavements are inadequate and the nearest shopping centre is more than half a mile away).



2. Loss of amenity


The green area, used by the many children in the area for recreation, is to be lost through the development, as are the privately rented garages, formerly assigned to the houses in the area, before Hermitage Housing assumed control of the properties.



3. Increase in the number of children


It was estimated that there would be up to 12 more children in the area, as a result of the new houses and the housing policy. It was felt that this, coupled with the reduced recreational amenity in an isolated area, devoid of opportunities for socially responsible youthful diversions, could well lead to increased vandalism and anti-social behaviour by the young people.



4. Safety Issues


It was felt that the added cars and children in the area could pose a safety problem, especially since Brights Lane is used by many drivers as a convenient cut-through between Manor Road and West Lane, when attempting to avoid traffic hold-ups on the main road, particularly at rush hours, when many children are about.



5. Access problems


All of the above problems make it very difficult for residents to park near their properties, especially at night, leading to a number of issues of conflict. (Note. The application for the Nursery School on the corner of Brights Lane and the main Manor Road was approved by the Development Control Committee of HBC, against the advice of officers, leading to increased parking problems in the area).






The representative residents had the strong feeling that the Housing Association are being allowed by HBC to develop in a fashion that a commercial property developer would not be allowed. They also felt that this infill was inappropriate and the density of proposed housing too great, in spite of being informed that it is within statutory limits.



However, the representatives did say that if the number of proposed houses were to be reduced to 2. or even three, then they may consider withdrawing their objection. (Note. After this meeting the committee were informed by Councillor Lenaghan that the number of proposed houses had been reduced to 3.)



The committee felt that the above concerns should be conveyed to HBC, with the backing of HIRA.



3. Approval of April Executive Committee Minutes - CR queried the reference to South Hayling’s concern about traffic calming issues. It was explained that this was not in relation to Northney’s proposed measures. Minutes approved







4. Planning issues.
Robert Blindell was welcomed and it was hoped that he would be able to fulfil the much needed role of planning office for the HIRA committee, with the help and guidance of former officers, Colin Wise and HIRA President Theo Tott.





5. Topics for discussion


•Langstone Harbour Cycle Bridge
- The Atkins Report, commissioned by HCC, had been published, with the conclusion that the demand for a cycle bridge was not great enough to justify the cost and that the current proposals met safety standards adequately. The situation was discussed and the Chairman strongly felt that the area was being let down by the County Council. Comments and ideas have to be submitted by us urgently.




•‘The Hayling Tower’
– It was noted that the application to change the orientation of the drop ride tower to face east, rather than south, on health and safety advice, had been approved by HBC. It was felt that HBC had in some way not monitored the process of the construction of the tower adequately, leading to the problems associated with the need to change the orientation.



•Membership mailing – PF sought approval for a mailing to the target group of recently lapsed 5-year members. Attempts had been made to visit these members personally through the circulation of lists to committee members, but this had not proved successful. Mailing approved.



•April open meeting - very good meeting held, however the attendance had been very poor.



•Hayling Carnival - this year's theme is 'Music, music, music!'







6. Report on Northney by C Richards – CR had been pleasantly surprised that the report on traffic calming measures for the area had met with the approval of Andy Maclean of HBC. A steering committee for the project was to be set up, comprising councillors, council officers, County Council and the police, to consider the conclusions of the report. If they were satisfied, then progress would be made towards approval and implementation.



A ‘Certificate of Lawfulness’ was being sought for the activity to the rear of Copse Meadow Lodge.







7. Membership Secretary’s Report:
It was reported with regret that FG was in hospital undergoing an operation and that therefore he would be out of service for a while. He was wished a speedy recovery.


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8. Treasurer's report - nothing to report





9. Chairman's report - nothing to report





10. Future meetings - open meeting 15th July 2004: Hayling’s Coastal Defences. It was noted that PF would not be in attendance, due to his participation in the annual Paris to Hayling cycle ride.





11. AOB – DT referred to the vandalism at the Community Centre and suggested that there should be an enforced curfew of young people under a specified age at 9pm, as in Leigh Park. It was noted that the police have the ability to break up large groups, if it was felt that they might cause damage.






Date of next meeting -
Tuesday 8th June 2004 at 7:30pm, Sunnyside Hall/b