HIRA Report for May 2008
- Wed 28th May 2008
Written before the tragic loss of the Rose in June Barn
HIRA’s Response on proposed development on the Island
Comments have recently been solicited by the Council on the Local Development Framework, this ‘framework’ being designed to determine the general direction in which development will proceed on the Island (and in the Borough) over the next twenty tears or so.
The current plan goes on to 2011 in theory and then the new one takes over, though there is some overlap expected. The problem with all plans is that they may never come to fruition or that they will be ignored when it is convenient to do so. As we know, the present plan indicated 31 housing units on new sites would be allocated. In spite of this apparently limited indication, some 750 were squeezed in by infill, windfall and brown-field developments (oh, the bureaucratic euphemisms!). This time the plan ‘only’ calls for 300 units on new sites but allows almost complete freedom to develop on those infill, windfall and brown-field ones, during its first five years of its implementation.
After considerable discussion amongst HIRA members, the following is a overview of the reply Paul Fisher has made on our behalf.
Firstly we do not believe the planners have balanced the needs of promoting Hayling as a visitor destination against the need for more houses in the Borough, particularly in terms of any competing infrastructure demands of the two. There is little or no evidence of any meaningful infrastructure decisions or recommendations relating to either. This is in spite of the fact that these matters are regarded as being essential for resolution before new planning decisions are made.
HIRA recommends that no new green-field sites be sanctioned until there is clarity of vision in relation to the above. This view is also based on the comments outlined above that would suggest that, on the historic evidence, all necessary and inevitable development could take place on non-greenfield sites around the Island.
HIRA greatly concurs with the, now accepted, policy of recommending the construction of a new cycle/leisure bridge. This will provide a vastly improved recreational route on and off the Island, help raise the profile of the Borough as having an innovative design team and, in the long term, help provide for better traffic management in the Langstone area.
Off the Island, we are utterly opposed to the designation of the ‘Bosmere field’ for any industrial use. This should be an attractive ‘gateway’ to the ‘pleasures to come’ as one proceeds through Langstone and onto Hayling. The Bosmere field and the environs of the stream should begin that ‘pleasure’ process. Ideally no more development should take place to the east of the Langbrook stream.
We finally recommend that the car park at the seaward end of Creek Road at Eastoke be considered for development to halt the decline of the commercial and social aspects of life here. While there are issues relating to erosion etc. it would seem that the social and business needs of Eastoke should over-ride these. Any development should provide for retail, civic (medical etc,) and recreational use.
Planning.
It is interesting to note that the Hayling Island Community Board, at its last meeting, voted unanimously to invite the HBC planning committee to reject the ‘change of use’ application for residential development at the Rose in June.
HIRA had already made this point to HBC and requested that a proper assessment be made of the site for more civic purposes on the basis that very few such key sites still exist on the Island. The barn would be ideal for a multi-function centre of museum, art and presentation area, local archive etc., none of which would be viable individually but which, together, could make a valuable contribution to life on the Island. Funding sources have already been found that would support some of these, at least in principle.
Island Services.
At our May meeting a number of points were raised that have relevance to future planning for the Island and to improvements of services. It was commented that, as the Island always seems to have Ambulances in action with sirens operating, is it not time to reconsider the possibility of siting one on the Island permanently? There is a continuing demand to expand the medical services and the buildings they occupy. A call for more bus shelters, particularly on exposed sites, is made etc.
On the bright side of social matters, the example of the ‘Joint Effort’ Café at Eastoke was put forward. This is a commercial enterprise that provides help and support to members of the local community to such an extent that is now regarded as a significant contributor to well-being in the area.
Summer events.
I am sure many people will have attended the first of the ‘Playing on the Plaza’ music events that went off so successfully on the May Bank Holiday weekend. Congratulations to all concerned. Every month there will be a similar event, each with a different musical theme. We also look forward to the Carnival, the Three Churches fete, the Scarecrow Festival and many others. Please support the summer activities and enjoy what the Island can provide. Not least of all we should be grateful for all the hard work put in by the organisers of these events and show our appreciation by attending then in droves!
Tony Higham
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