Packed House for Seafront Plan Meeting
- Fri 25th Jul 2008
Over 70 people were present at the URC Hall on 17th July for the HIRA Public Meeting on the Hayling Seafront Master Plan. This plan is now out for public consultation up until mid August so read on or visit one of the other public presentations.
In the absence of Chairman Paul Fisher on the annual Paris to Hayling Bike Ride, I introduced the speakers. These were Corporate Director, Frank Campbell and Economic Development & Regeneration Manager, Tony Lee, both of whom had kindly agreed to make the presentation.
Frank Campbell started by reviewing the Lottery bid of two years ago that had failed, partly because of the limited time available. The current Plan was derived from that previous one but with more time to consider the aims and options. In applies to the Seafront only. Terra Firma, based in Petersfield, were contracted to carry out the study in conjunction with others. Initial local consultation had been with Stakeholders with a direct interest in the Seafront. The plan is now published and is open to public consultation until August 18th.
Tony Lee then made the main presentation. He informed us that the whole plan was on the HBC web-site as was the comment form, though other forms of comment are available.
The plan is backed by the appropriate departments in HBC and its aim for the Seafront is to replace below-standard features, improve others and to add those that would enhance residents and visitors appreciation of the Island. Aspects would include accommodation for water sports users and retail outlets, all designed to encourage a 12-month economy. Any housing content would reduce our commitment elsewhere on the Island.
As most people by now will be aware, the main areas of development are to be at; the Ferry, some accommodation and enhancement; the Inn on the Beach, Water-sports Academy and accommodation; Central Beachlands, a major regeneration with retail and entertainment features, a plaza for fairs, markets, concerts etc, and accommodation to fund it; the middle station on the Seafront Railway, limited development in the region and finally; Eastoke Corner, some development to improve facilities.
A ‘boardwalk’ will link these locations to provide a series of ‘destinations’; to encourage people to move between them and investigate the location next in their line of vision.
Funding was next mentioned by Tony Lee. The Council itself does not have the funds for such ventures but it can access and assist application for funds and clearly will make efforts to encourage appropriate commercial investment. Currently the government is supporting a programme to re-vitalise run-down seaside communities and this will be one point of access to funds. Organisations funding water-sports will also be a main target.
During all or any development proposed, maintaining the environment of Hayling is a key feature and this is why all proposed schemes are only in areas already developed.
At this point in the meeting, Frank Campbell asked for a straw poll of the people present as to whether they supported the plan, at least in its general approach. The split was approximately 60/40 in favour. In the discussion that followed, points made included:
There was initial discussion about why any scheme was needed and whether Hayling could prosper without tourists or whether tourists were a necessary part of out life. The discussion continued on the basis that tourist was needed to produce a viable economy.
People should always bear in mind that the plan is not definitive but is subject to much flexibility and dependent on viable funding being found for any particular scheme proposed.
Any plan would be subject to normal planning application processes and subject to normal scrutiny.
A comment was made about the problems in getting any scheme for the Hayling Bay Hotel site agreed in spite of the proposals appearing to meet the stated tourist aims of HBC.
With the leads set by HISC and the Golf Club, can Hayling continue to develop in an equally forward-looking manner and deal with and take advantage of existing assets such as Norfolk Crescent?
Could ‘planning gain’ derived from any big development be used to fund the cycle bridge and then complete a potentially considerable tourist asset, the full Billy Trail from Havant to the Seafront? This would allow cyclists to come to Hayling but leave their cars in Havant.
Various traffic problems were mentioned, particularly the evening hold-up at the top of West Lane.
How would income derived from leasing out HBC-owned land for these schemes benefit Havant and its tax-payers?
It was pointed out that there were more and more visitors making use of the Sandy Point area but no improvements were being made in provision of access or parking.
A comment was made about the fact that parking charges continue until 8pm, but that toilets close at 5pm. What about such facilities during the Carnival period?
The meeting ended with considerable discussion amongst small groups before finally dispersing.
As a result of some comments made during the presentations, at one point Frank Campbell said he would stay until the audience had run out of questions. He was as good as his word.
I thanked Frank and Tony for their time and for the good-humoured way in which they dealt with certain comments from the audience. I believe the meeting was valuable and allowed a useful exchange of views that would otherwise have been difficult to achieve.
Binoculars
I would like to congratulate the Council on the quality of the binoculars recently fitted at Eastoke Corner and at the West Beach. They really enhance the ability to observe the sights to be seen from Hayling and make one appreciate what it is that makes standing on Hayling beach so special.
Waste Disposal & Water Supply.
Recently I have had the opportunity to visit the Veolia Materials Recover Facility at Alton, having visited the incinerator at Basingstoke some time earlier. Hampshire now has an integrated waste disposal policy and capability that will see us into the future for some considerable period of time. While some will disagree with the use of incineration, the overall approach does allow us to avoid excessive use of landfill and recover as much material as possible subject to the ability to process it. Paper, steel and aluminium can and plastic bottles are capable of full recycling. Glass may be reprocessed into other glass products or used as aggregate. Most other waste can be burned and the heat used to make electricity. All waste gases are filtered to remove particulates and the ash residue is dry and can be used in aggregates and for other similar uses. Group visits can be made to these facilities if so wished, typically with a maximum of 20 people.
I have also recently visited the Portsmouth Water Company site at Farlington to observe the processes involved in our water supply. For those who are interested our water is now filtered to remove all particles larger that one ten thousandth of a millimetre in diameter. This is small enough even to remove bacteria that can cause stomach upsets so there is absolutely no need to filter your drinking water at home. Of further interest is that Waterlooville water has a relatively high level of natural fluoride in it and it would be interesting to know if the teeth in Waterlooville are better than those of Hayling!
Have a good time before the summer ends!
Tony Higham
Main contacts:
Chairman: Paul Fisher 92461412
Membership: Brenda Greenland 92466716
Notice Board: Lois Neale 92469339
Reporter: Tony Higham 92464723.
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