HIRA December Article
- Thu 23rd Nov 2006
HIRA to Challenge Planning Decision
At our November committee meeting HIRA decided to challenge the decision of Havant Borough Council to allow Portsmouth Housing Association to build 14 flats on the old Rainbow Club site at Beachlands.
On taking advice from the Planning Inspectorate, the Government agency that deals with appeals, it appears that third parties cannot appeal against a decision in relation to a matter in which they are not directly involved.
To succeed in any challenge it is necessary to demonstrate that the Council has made a decision that is in some way not in accordance with its own aims, i.e. there is an element of error in the administration of the decision. In the later stages of such a process complaints would need to be made to the Ombudsman.
The basis of our complaint is that the Borough planners are themselves in the process of trying to establish an overall plan for the Central Beachlands area and the decision to allow this particular development would have a major impact on the outcome of this endeavour.
The desire to have a proper plan for Central Beachlands is a natural follow on from the improvements to be made to Eastoke Corner and it would be absurd to prejudice any plans for Central Beachlands by a premature and devastatingly inappropriate decision of this nature.
It would be akin to a local authority in London giving permission for a block of flats to be built in the middle of the proposed Olympic Stadium merely because the plans for that Stadium had not been finalised.
To attempt to further our objection to this scheme our first act is to make a formal complaint to the Planning department about how this decision was reached. (It was made by the casting vote of a Councillor from Purbrook).
Whether we will have any impact on this decision we shall have wait and see but HIRA feels this is a matter of such great concern that we need to try. Any assistance that is relevant would be greatly appreciated, especially of a legal nature.
On the same topic we are concerned, yet again, about changes of plans which were reasonable initially into ones in which the developer merely wishes to stuff as many flats as possible into his space a process that is happening everywhere on the Island.
By its geographic nature Hayling is probably one of the most isolated communities in Hampshire in relation to its population and placing more and more people here, who often do not intend to make a long-term commitment to the area, is socially suicidal. In the long run this will commit the council and us as the sources of all government expenditure to even larger social budget commitments in the future if someone does not start to think in a more ‘sustainable way’, to coin a phrase, very soon.
Speed limit Signage
For many years there has been a move to get better indication of speed limits in the area, particularly on the Sea Front. Requests have been made by a number of organisations for the installation of 30 mph repeaters on this road. We are told that you cannot have repeaters in a 30 mph area because the presence of street lights automatically indicates a 30 mph limit. They are provided in other areas to indicate that those areas with street lights are subject to a speed limit other than 30 mph. Typical bureauspeak: who else could come up with such an illogical conclusion?
However, imagine my surprise and confusion when in London recently I observed 30 mph repeater signs painted on the road! Perhaps they are not illegal after all and someone in authority would provide such signs!
Bird Proof Bins
As everyone knows there is much rubbish around and how it gets to any particular place is often a mystery. It has been brought to our attention that this is sometimes the result of bird activity picking over the contents of unprotected bins. As there seem to be very large numbers of big birds around these days this matter needs some consideration.
Crime Issues
We understand a number of recent meetings have been held to discuss crime in a number of areas often being those with late night retail outlets. Some interesting ideas are emerging that should improve things in the long run.
Youth Issues
There are a large number of discussions and programmes being considered to engage the young people of the Island. Many of these point to the need to provide a building of significant size and therefore cost to accommodate all the various suggestions. If anyone can identify a suitable building in a central location this could greatly assist that process. Ideas please!
Finally, Christmas is nearly here and I hope everyone can celebrate this event in a way that gives pleasure to themselves and the people around them. Happy Christmas and look forward to the various events that will take place in 2007.
Tony Higham
By forum user, PaulFisher
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