HIRA January Meeting to address Beach & Tourism
- Tue 4th Jan 2005
HIRA Report for January 2005
HIRA January Meeting to address Beach & Tourism
On Thursday, 20th January, the HIRA open meeting will present various aspects of Beach Development and Tourism. It is hoped to look at some of these in relation to the Planning issues that would need to be addressed before such improvements could be made. The meeting will be in the URC Hall in Mengham, starting at 7.30pm.
It is expected to highlight some of the suggestions being proposed in the Liveability programme, (fronted on Hayling by Andy Lenaghan) and to have contributors giving views on the Funfair, Beach Railway, Holiday Centres, Sailing and Surfing clubs etc. and how these can be included within the various regeneration schemes that are available.
Cleary some people will be concerned about any development while others will feel that if nothing is done, various aspects of the Hayling economy may suffer. Whichever side of whichever fence you propose to stand, please let us hear what your views are. It could be an interesting and stimulating meeting.
Liveability Programme
Apart from the many small programmes relating to this fund on the Island, which can be agreed and progressed relatively easily, there are a number of larger, strategic programmes being considered relating to the Island. HIRA proposes to devote its April meeting to this topic, by which time programmes should have been agreed and some of them will be running.
The strategic topics were discussed at the December meeting of the HI Community Board. The programmes that were agreed in principle were: turning Eastoke Corner into an area attractive to tourists and visitors alike; footpath developments between Northney and the bridge and general improvement of the Hayling ‘Gateway’ at the southern end of the bridge; the beach area generally; the ‘Elm Grove to Mengham Corridor’ improvements and finally, provision of a ‘leisure’ bridge alongside the existing road bridge.
This last item was a last minute addition, due to pressure from the Langstone, Havant and Bedhampton Board, which had this item as its highest priority and requested our support. People who have followed the various arguments on this matter will know that many people on the island support this programme (others of course do not!!). In view of our position in this matter over the years, the Hayling Board put this item in its list of primary programmes to provide support to the mainland.
It should be recognised that not all of the above programmes are likely to proceed in the short term, but we would hope they are all possible over, say, a five-year period.
As noted, it is intended to report on all these matters in our April meeting.
Planning
At our December Committee Meeting, we discussed yet another increase in the number of planning applications for demolition of houses and their replacement by blocks of flats. As most will know, this process has been going on for years with varying degrees of quality and (usually reluctant) public acceptance. Two applications, one towards the eastern end of Southwood Road and one just east of the present blocks of flats at the bottom of St. Catherine’s Road, are now being put forward. HIRA is objecting to both developments on the usual grounds of traffic generation, over-development, unproven need (how many new flats on Hayling are unsold?) though we have little hope of producing more than minimal alterations to the two proposals.
All the evidence shows that if a development is ‘legal’, then, whatever are the local objections, appeals will result in consent being granted. As someone who has gone through a very minor appeal process, the costs are negligible and the only down-side is the delay in getting approval. As I have asked before, ‘if anyone knows how to stop this process, please inform us!!’
Youth Shelters
We understand that approval has been given to the erection of youth shelters in both Mengham and Hayling Parks. These are to allow young people to meet, out of the rain and wind, and help to engender some community spirit. (It has also been suggested that similar shelters should be built on the beach, in these cases, for somewhat older people.)
The Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) in Hayling Park is now in full operation and it will be interesting to see what its main uses turn out to be.
Billy Trail.
The consultation meetings on this will take place on the weekend of 28/29/30th January, first in the Library and then in the Community Centre. The results of the August survey should be available and on the HCC website before those dates. It is vital that people come to these presentations and put forward their views. There are no suggestions for radical changes to the status quo, but it is important that the route is maintained to a good standard, erosion contained or resolved and completion achieved at the northern end. This latter is important as many users drive to Hayling and then have to find somewhere to park. The only parks are at the Station Theatre and behind the ESSO garage, neither of which is convenient, desirable or adequate on a busy summer day.
Th1s is the primary reason for wanting the whole route to Havant improved and made safe, so that town centre parking in Havant can be used, which could result in no Trail users having to bring their cars onto Hayling.
The only improvement that would require ‘construction’ would perhaps be a ‘half-way’ toilet block behind the ESSO Garage.
The New Year
There are several relatively high profile events in the coming year relating to the topics above, not to mention the other Island events and the Trafalgar celebrations. It is important that Islanders are aware of these matters and let their views be known.
I hope you all had a good Christmas and New Year break and have recovered enough to see only one copy of this article.
Tony Higham.
Main contacts:
Chairman: Paul Fisher 9246-1412
Membership: Shirley Adams 9246-2881
Notice Board: Lois Neale 9246-9339
Reporter: Tony Higham 9246-4723.
By forum user, Mat
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