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Action against housing on Bohunt Manor land - SOS Bohunt Manor Community Action Group (27th May 2014 - 12:05:17) As many of you will be aware we are expecting a planning application very soon for approximately 210 houses to be built on Bohunt Manor land (fronting Portsmouth Road) which is part of the South Downs National Park. The SOS Bohunt Manor Community Action Group have set up Facebook and Twitter accounts that you may wish to follow. To ‘like’ the Facebook page and be kept up to date with news please search for SOS Bohunt Manor once you’re logged into Facebook. For Twitter you will find us at @BohuntManor. Please follow us there. If you have any questions or would like to keep in touch with the action group, please send an email to support@sosbohuntmanor.co.uk or visit our website at www.sosbohuntmanor.co.uk

Re: Action against housing on Bohunt Manor land - SOS Bohunt Manor Community Action Group (1st Jun 2014 - 20:37:54) At a public meeting on 9th July 2013 the residents of Liphook made clear their views on the proposal for a large development on Bohunt Manor land. An overwhelming majority of attendees opposed the development. Their opposition included the following reasons:- •Residents feel it is important to retain the status of this site as part of the South Downs National Park •Residents are deeply concerned about lack of respect for wildlife, habitats and landscape by the developers •This site is the only easily accessed area of the Park (within walking distance for many) for quiet enjoyment for both visitors and residents of Liphook without the necessity for vehicles •Residents’ were focused on the effect on traffic through the village •Residents feel that the developer's community proposals are merely a ruse to allow the developers to promote further speculative development for housing. With the imminent planning application for 210 houses [originally 175] the SOS Bohunt Manor Community Action Group believe it is vitally important that the general public make it known to the South Downs Planning Authority of their opposition to the development on this Northern Gateway to the National Park. The Action Group would be delighted to hear from all members of the public opposed to the scheme especially those who voiced their opinion at the public meeting last July. The World Wildlife Fund [WWF] sold the estate to the developer with covenants stating that the Estate should be used for agriculture, equestrian and sustainable activities. The erection of houses is contrary to these covenants. If you wish to join the protest please let us know by e-mailing < a href="mailto:support@sosbohuntmanor.co.uk">support@sosbohuntmanor.co.uk. We will then be able to keep you directly informed of the progress of the application. Once the planning application is received a concerted response to the SDNP to register the extensive opposition to this ill judged scheme will hopefully ensure that this wonderful area of open countryside will be preserved for future generations.

Re: Action against housing on Bohunt Manor land - lucy (2nd Jun 2014 - 18:46:21) I for one am all for the new development as for people like myself it will enable me to stay in the village I have grown up in and move up the property ladder. Meaning I can also provide a better home for my family :-) Maybe A facebook / twitter page for those who are for the development ;-)

Re: Action against housing on Bohunt Manor land - Rachel (2nd Jun 2014 - 21:31:43) I was walking along the path that cuts through from Victoria Rd to the road with the church centre in (sorry can not remember name) and I always like to stop and have a little look through the fencing around Bohunt manor estate. I was royal'y rewarded by the sight of a fawn settling down to hide in the grass and wait for mummy! Where will all the Deer go if they pour concrete all over their home! :-(

Re: Action against housing on Bohunt Manor land - Darren (3rd Jun 2014 - 07:17:30) Like Lucy I too believe that the Bohunt Manor site is a preferred option for development in Liphook. If Liphook is to have a minimum of 175 additional houses (extra to those already given permission) then Bohunt is the only site which actually appears to give something to the community of Liphook in return. All the others just bring more people with more cars and no facilities. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but please "SOS Bohunt Manor" do not think you have blanket support for you views. I think you'll find the silent majority do not hold your opinion, one field is no different to another field so lets at least get something out of it if it is to be concreted over!

Re: Action against housing on Bohunt Manor land - Miranda (3rd Jun 2014 - 09:04:42) Somebody said to me that the Bohunt development would be outside the village settlement boundary so the houses wouldn't contribute towards the total we need to build - is this true?

Re: Action against housing on Bohunt Manor land - Jeanette Kirby (3rd Jun 2014 - 10:00:15) Liphook has been allocated 175 extra houses under the Joint Core Strategy. Development in Liphook comes under East Hampshire District planning authority. The South Downs National Park has its' own allocation of housing, and Bohunt Frontage land is completely in the SDNP and outside of the currently parish settlement boundary.

Re: Action against housing on Bohunt Manor land - A. Ryan (3rd Jun 2014 - 10:01:40) Lucy, Well said. This area is perfectly situated to use as new housing and possible facilities for Liphook in general. For those people who are against, I beg the question why, as the public have not really had access to this land except at certain times, and most of it is has just been used as agricultural land. As for being in the National Park, yes it is, but there is a lot of countryside around Liphook that should have more priority given to it than this area. Liphook would not be the place it is now if the landowners had not sold off their land, and manors. Liphook has not been the small village for a very long time and never will be again. There is a growing population that needs to be housed, and some of our young people may wish to stay in the area. We are situated halfway between London and Portsmouth, we have a railway station and the A3 on our doorstep. We have a Secondary school and a number of other schools, so we are in a prime position for expansion. We may not like it but that is fact. This village is not just meant to house the over spill of London and the rich, as a lot of Liphook\'s heritage stems from a generation of farm labourers and land workers.

Re: Action against housing on Bohunt Manor land - ellie (3rd Jun 2014 - 10:51:34) Any houses built there are likely to cost as much or more as those currently for sale in Liphook. The newly built terraced houses in The retirement village cost approx 500k plus 8-10 k service and maintenance. The first residents were promised a lot of facilities there which did not happen. New does not equal cheap.

Re: Action against housing on Bohunt Manor land - wendy martin (3rd Jun 2014 - 11:20:17) It's all very well isn't it? all this new housing being built, but what about the strain on doctor's surgeries, the local schools, the congestion through the square, where will it end?

Re: Action against housing on Bohunt Manor land - Question 7 (3rd Jun 2014 - 18:25:12) What is the rush? At the recent joint strategy meeting it was made clear that by 2028, Liphook is scheduled to have an additional 799 dwellings. The county council has already given planning permission for 624, which are still to be built. Thus 75% of the houses planned for the period to 2028 have already been confirmed, one could argue enough according to the 'Joint Strategy' to fulfill the plan until 2024. The core objective of the County Council's Head of Planning is to deliver a 5 year 'Land Bank' to the government. (Liphook have achieved 13 years at this point) There is a big development as part of the Bordon redevelopment in October which will more than fulfill this obligation/objective. I understand the local concern in terms of infrastructure. With this in mind the Head of Planning was asked 'Why do we not wait until some of the 624 houses are built and see what the effect is before approving further development which is not needed until 2024?' He did have some sympathy for this rationale. Liphook development was the only parish which had planning approval for such a big proportion of its 'Joint Strategy' allocation. I noted Petersfield had only approved 25% of its allocation, thus giving it greater leverage when in discussion with developers. Where are the additional community facilities from the developers of the 75% already allocated. Whilst there are some great Councillor's trying to achieve retrospective infrastructure changes, but it will be like getting a price increase from a consumer who has already bought the goods.

Re: Action against housing on Bohunt Manor land - lucy (3rd Jun 2014 - 18:41:55) It is easier for someone like myself to buy a new property in the village when they sell off plan as we can then use the Government help to buy scheme. So no, they do not cost that much and they are easier to buy then other properties in the village!

Re: Action against housing on Bohunt Manor land - ellie (3rd Jun 2014 - 23:21:39) I think you are jumping ahead a bit Lucy they may not get planning permission, because the land is in the National Park and not within the Liphook boundary so it could take years. After all the plans have not gone in yet! Also how do you know they would sell off plan? Surely the Taylor Wimpey houses will be finished and if you would like a new house, they will suffice?

Re: Action against housing on Bohunt Manor land - lucy (4th Jun 2014 - 07:41:04) I was merely putting my point across that I am all for the planning of new houses on THIS piece of land and my reasons for this. You then said that they will cost the same as any other property on the market in the village. MOST new builds sell off plan and with new builds the government scheme is available. So for someone like myself who is not in a position to buy a Taylor Wimpey property now, I hold out a little hope for plans like these. So no I am not jumping ahead of myself, just forward planning!

Re: Action against housing on Bohunt Manor land - ellie (4th Jun 2014 - 10:10:03) Hi Lucy On looking at the current government rules on the help to buy, it seems to be in two parts, and the first part yes, of a loan for the deposit , that part is open to new build houses only, the second part, however, the mortgage guarantee scheme , then older properties are eligible. There is also the possibility that if you do not move now, the scheme will cease, as there is talk of mortgage lending criteria being tightened up, and talk of the help to buy scheme not continuing for ever, as it is causing prices to be driven upwards, which was is of course a byproduct of a lot of new homes being built! I still think that there are other greenfield areas which would fulfill our housing needs before Liphook has to spread any further into the National Park.

Re: Action against housing on Bohunt Manor land - Nicci (4th Jun 2014 - 10:13:07) I do empathise with the original family whose land was bequeathed to the WWF, however, it is the WWF who sold the land to the developer. I'm sure it is very beautiful having the South Downs on your doorstep but the land isn't available to the majority of Liphook residents. We too are struggling to find a property to buy in Liphook and the location of this development appeals to me greatly and I too would support this.

Re: Action against housing on Bohunt Manor land - sjenner (4th Jun 2014 - 11:16:45) The SDNP authority will have the final say in this but Liphook has its fair share of housing allocated regardless of what this scheme promises. The incentives from the Bohunt scheme are not what they appear to be. They have advised that land will be made available for community facilities but no mention of funding them. If you want low cost housing check out Maple Park. Also, Bordon is now a prime target for real low cost housing. It is unlikely that you will get low cost housing in Liphook as it is seen as a money spinner by building companies. Maple Park £210,000 - £450,000 Maple Park is a stunning collection of 2, 3, 4 & 5 bedroom homes that are ideal for modern living. Located in the East Hampshire district of Hampshire, the lovely village of Liphook is where you'll find Maple Park. 'Launch Weekend' was a sell out, new releases coming soon! Don't forget to register your interest. Canada Way - Liphook - Hampshire - GU30 7UJ

Re: Action against housing on Bohunt Manor land - JJ (4th Jun 2014 - 12:30:01) I'm intrigued by the mention of the words 'low cost housing' and that, it's suggested, you wouldn't be likely to get it in Liphook. The local authority has an obligation to ensure that a percentage of new build MUST provide 'affordable housing' and planning permission will not be granted, we were told, without this proviso. In brief, near to Liphook, local residents were very much against the destruction of a large plot of land that is the habitat of badgers and other common country wildlife, to build a large number of houses on it. This also accessed only at a dead-end road, no local shops or transport to support more people moving in to a small hamlet/village. The residents whose homes are on the only access road to this plot were between a rock and a hard place, as a large number of properties was originally wanted, but in order to attempt to get locals to support the plans, this number was reduced dramatically, and tried to design the build 'in keeping' with the current nearby properties.. however.. the planning department insisted that, no matter what size/number of properties were built, they must comply with a legal obligation to ensure that a percentage of the build MUST be 'affordable housing'. So, if, for example, it was planned to have 15, 5 bed detached homes, with large gardens (I always shiver at the word 'executive style homes' - what does that mean?!) approx 4 of those MUST come under the remit of 'affordable housing'. And you can forget the 'outside the village boundary', as this land is, and also 'outside the settlement boundary' (or something?). The planning department gave permission regardless. Locals are not angry, they are bitterly disappointed and the For Sale signs are already gathering. It would seem that the locals feel the planning department just want to tick the box to report back that they are working towards supplying a housing need, including the apparent 'compulsory percentage' of 'affordable' and not the practicalities of more houses in an area that local amenities, including schools, and roads, just don't exist. Very sad.

Re: Action against housing on Bohunt Manor land - Editor (4th Jun 2014 - 12:49:42) The Guardian - 3rd February 2014 Headline Affordable housing does not mean what you think it means Beware of politicians talking about affordable homes. New 'affordable' housing is not actually that affordable Now, councils and housing associations have been told to replace social rented housing with a new product called, confusingly, affordable housing. Read the article Government definition Affordable housing is social rented, affordable rented and intermediate housing, provided to eligible households whose needs are not met by the market. Eligibility is determined with regard to local incomes and local house prices. From April 2012 affordable housing is defined in the National Planning Policy Framework (prior to this the definitions in Planning Policy Statement 3 apply). Affordable housing should include provisions to remain at an affordable price for future eligible households or for the subsidy to be recycled for alternative affordable housing provision. Social rented housing is owned by local authorities and private registered providers (as defined in section 80 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008), for which guideline target rents are determined through the national rent regime. It may also be owned by other persons and provided under equivalent rental arrangements to the above, as agreed with the local authority or with the Homes and Communities Agency. Affordable rented housing is let by local authorities or private registered providers of social housing to households who are eligible for social rented housing. Affordable Rent is subject to rent controls that require a rent of no more than 80 per cent of the local market rent (including service charges, where applicable). Intermediate housing is homes for sale and rent provided at a cost above social rent, but below market levels subject to the criteria in the Affordable Housing definition above. These can include shared equity (shared ownership and equity loans), other low cost homes for sale and intermediate rent, but not affordable rented housing. Homes that do not meet the above definition of affordable housing, such as ‘low cost market’ housing, may not be considered as affordable housing for planning purposes.

Re: Action against housing on Bohunt Manor land - ellie (4th Jun 2014 - 21:41:40) yes there is confusion over terminology. The affordable element of any housing development is social housing not houses to sell cheaper to local people as many believe. On a small estate of 15 big detached houses the social housing does not go on the same estate, the developer has to give money instead to provide something elsewhere. It is only on the large estates it has to be provided in the same place in the form of apartments or small 2 bedroom units usually smaller than the norm, and it is not sold except to housing associations who then rent them out. The sainsbury development had to build the Midhurst Road flats and houses, they are not even on the same development. Please do not think any developer is going to build low cost housing and sell it privately. I think the minimum social housing to build on a ratio basis is one in ten units, not necessarily on the same location.

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