Reply to THIS thread
Start a NEW Talkback Thread
Talkback Home

Public exhibition - Editor (10th Jun 2014 - 13:44:01) Where should new homes be built in Bramshott & Liphook? - Public exhibition - Tuesday 17 June Liphook residents have the chance to say where they think new homes should be built in the area. An exhibition is being held by East Hampshire District Council, to give residents the opportunity to make their preferences known. The exhibition will be held in Liphook Millennium Centre, on Tuesday 17 June, from 3.30-8pm. Residents can see the location of sites that may come forward for future development in Liphook & Bramshott and have their say on where the new houses should go and what community facilities might be needed. Planners will be on hand to take comments and guide residents through the process. The council’s updated Joint Core Strategy, drawn up in partnership with the South Downs National Park, proposes a target of 10,060 new homes across East Hampshire by 2028. Liphook will need to find suitable sites to provide another 175 new homes. Cllr Angela Glass, Portfolio Holder for Planning, said: “It is our aim to get the right homes in the right places and to do that we need to know about local needs and concerns. We hope local people will also come out in force to share their views. “The council must identify enough sites to meet the demand for new homes. Most of these homes will be for people already living and working in the community. Therefore, it is vital we use events such as these to put together a housing plan for the future. “I'm sure the people of Liphook and Bramshott are keen to see the plans for their area and to have their say. Community input is invaluable to help shape future development.” For more information about the East Hampshire Joint Core Strategy (JCS) visit www.easthants.gov.uk/jcs

Re: Public exhibition - Trevor Maroney (10th Jun 2014 - 17:06:28) You might like to read the draft consolidated recommendations contained in the Parish Plan at www.liphookplan.co.uk/... before attending this exhibition.

Re: Public exhibition - ellie (12th Jun 2014 - 23:53:18) just making sure that the editor's posting is seen as maybe people are not realising this is about the new homes when reading the headline. Please everyone make your views known if possible to attend

Re: Public exhibition - starman (14th Jun 2014 - 12:30:19) A plan to build new homes needs to be a proper logical strategic plan that considers the potential volume of people that would be added to Liphook and the impact of such on services. For example how will the fire services, doctors surgery, schools, road, rail and parking be affected. Whenever new homes are added, the infrastructure in Liphook needs to be updated to cope with the increased volume of Liphook. I fear that this has not happened since I can not see any evidence of adding new doctor surgeries. Purely adding new homes in response to Government mandate is completely illogical and short sighted without a plan for infrastructure.

Re: Public exhibition - Dawn Hoskins (14th Jun 2014 - 13:50:02) Hi Starman, this is exactly the thing that we need to tell EHDC. I hope you can make the effort to get there and get your point across. Also, many people are just not aware of the hundreds and hundreds of homes already decided upon, where they are to be located and how it will affect them. so, go and look at the map of where EHDC have already decided that 100's of houses are going to be sited - you will probably not get another opportunity to look these people in the eyes and ask such simple questions as where are all the cars going to park as the garage and driveway are not sufficient, where are they going to the doctors the dentists the school. We need JOINED UP THINKING it cannot be just about houses it must, if it is to be a PLAN be an effective plan that incorporates all the aspects of our lives that are necessities. You cannot call it a 'plan' if you are just talking about erecting bricks and mortar - that is just planning to fail this village.

Re: Public exhibition - Russ Ellis (15th Jun 2014 - 11:31:56) A few things I would like to point out before you attend the EHDC Exhibition on Tues 17th about the developments around our village/town. For and Against Liphook development sites. 1: Lowsely Farm, Longmoor Road. For: 155 houses already approved so additional 175 a natural extension. Within a very short walk to all state schools so far less impact on daily school run traffic. Easy access to the A3 via Griggs Green junction so no requirement for commuter traffic to access the square to travel north or south on A3. Open space and allotments proposed. Access roundabout will enable traffic to be slowed coming into Liphook from the Longmoor Road and a reduction in the speed limit from 40 to 30mph. 40% affordable housing. Against: Furthest proposal from the Railway Station (but still only a 15/20 minute walk). No community benefits. 2: Bohunt Manor, Portsmouth Road. For: Only site to put forward community benefits in the form of Health Centre, Football and Cricket Pitches, Club House, Public Open space with access into the South Downs National Park, Allotments, Community Alms Houses for the elderly of the parish. Walkable access to all state schools via partial traffic free route. 5 minute walk to the Railway Station. Already approved roundabout junction will enable traffic to be slowed coming into Liphook from the Portsmouth Road and improve traffic flows at the busy Station Road junction. Possible relief road through site if collaboration with Northcott proposals taken up. Rounds off the build up area of Liphook forming a more cohesive village. 40% affordable housing. Against: Access to A3 only via The Square if collaboration with Northcott proposals for relief road not taken up. Site recently included in SDNP. (since plans for roundabout access, Health Centre and Football pitch given planning approval). 3: Nothcott Trust Proposals, Longmoor Road. For: Possible relief road through site if collaboration with Bohunt Manor proposals. Easy access to all state schools. Additional access into Bohunt School helping to alleviate traffic congestion in The Square. Easy access to the A3 via Griggs Green junction so no requirement for commuter traffic to access the square to travel north or south on A3. Rounds off the build up area of Liphook forming a more cohesive village. 40% affordable housing. Against: No community benefits proposed at this time. Site recently included in SDNP (although proposed land swap giving additional land back into SDNP). 4: Chiltley Farm, Chiltley Lane. For: 40% affordable housing. 10 minute walk from Railway Station. Against: Furthest site from all state schools (approx. 2 miles from Infants and Junior Schools) resulting in large increase in school run traffic through The Square and resultant congestion in The Avenue area. Access to A3 only via The Square, increasing traffic congestion at peak times. No improvement proposed to Midhurst Road junction or Liphook infrastructure. No community benefits. 5: Mills Family Proposals, Highfield Lane/Chiltley Lane For: 40% affordable housing. 15 minute walk from Railway Station. Against: Furthest site from all state schools (approx. 2 miles from Infants and Junior Schools) resulting in large increase in school run traffic through The Square and resultant congestion in The Avenue area. Access to A3 only via The Square, increasing traffic congestion at peak times. No improvement to Highfield Lane/Midhurst Road junction proposed. No community benefits. Also all the developers will tell you that they are contributing XXXXXX amount of money to the community. This is not strictly true. It goes to EHDC community chest and then our Parish Council has to jump through hoops to prove they need just a fraction of it for projects in our community. So we get all the houses but not the money badly needed for the infrastructure i.e. roads, drainage, schools, doctors, shops, leisure facilities etc etc etc. So as predicted when the Hindhead tunnel opened there would be Land Owners and developers fighting to building hundreds of houses here. You will not stop this happening but we must shout loud enough to get the infrastructure in place first as our village square which is a conservation area with it 6 roads cannot take any more heavy traffic. So road planning is a priority. So let’s get all the developers, land owners, EHDC, HCC and the Parish Council all working together as they have in other communities in the south. Russ Ellis

Re: Public exhibition - A. Ryan (15th Jun 2014 - 11:56:22) Well constructed article. As can be seen, some potential sites are preferable to others, One must think with the head, not heart here. As you rightly said, once the Hindhead tunnel was open, the floodgates would open. Any piece of land would become gold dust. The houses will be built, so we now need to get the best deal for Liphook. Remember this could be good for new business's and existing ones, but we need an infrastructure that the population of Liphook will benefit the most.

Re: Public exhibition - ellie (15th Jun 2014 - 13:34:48) Hi i agree with most of what Mr Ellis has said, except for the Bohunt Manor. They have NOT promised that all the community facilities will get built, hence more than three years on there is no medical centre.What they have promised is no more than what they would be ordered to provide by EHDC which is the area set aside for other uses than houses, which is all they are doing.The football club have to fund. and build their own stadium clubhouse and the road going in and out. -As soon as permission is given they will sell the land to a developer, who will put their own detailed plans forward. Upon being questioned closely about what GVI are actually providing, one of their relatives admitted that the community will have to fund everything themselves, hence there are no allotments or medical centre or even yet help to the football. club to build facilities.If permission for houses is given they will behave in the same way, and you will see you have had empty promises. The land is in the NATIONAL PARK which is why they have to go the extra mile for community support, no other reason.

Re: Public exhibition - Jane Ives (15th Jun 2014 - 15:25:11) Ellie is absolutely right - Bohunt Manor is not giving the community anything, it still needs to be funded. The other thing to note is that this proposal is for 210 houses. By anyone's standards that is a huge housing estate and if each house had only 1 vehicle that is a lot of traffic trying to head through the village! I'm so glad though this is being discussed and residents are being given the opportunity to feed their views back to EHDC. I hope as many people as possible will go along on Tuesday to give their opinion. This is about our village and yes inevitably it will grow but I'm sure nobody wants this to be in an uncontrolled way without the right infrastructure in place.

Re: Public exhibition - A. Ryan (15th Jun 2014 - 18:51:54) I think 250 houses on the Bohunt site would be a much better proposition than 164 houses crammed into Chiltee lane chicken farm, and I am sure those on the Berg estate would agree, that did seem to be the gist of it at the meeting for this development. It does seems shortsighted to think that land can not be built on just because it is in the National Park. It is also interesting to note the following few words from Wikipedia The South Downs was the last of the original twelve recommended national parks to be designated. Indeed, the extensive damage that had been caused to the chalk downland from 1940 onwards through being ploughed up for arable farming and the concomitant disappearance of sheep grazing militated against further consideration of their designation: when the National Parks Commission came to consider the case for designating the South Downs as a national park it concluded, in 1956, that designation was no longer appropriate, noting that the recreational value of the South Downs as a potential national park had been considerably reduced by the extensive cultivation of the downland. But it recognised the "great natural beauty" of the area and proposed to take forward discussions to designate it as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In due course two AONBs, split along the county boundary, were designated, namely the East Hampshire AONB in 1962 and the Sussex Downs AONB in 1966, and these were later to form the basis of the South Downs National Park.[2] Much of the Bohunt land has been used for arable farming for many years and this land would be preferable to many other areas put forward to be built on. Yes parts of the land should be saved but hopefully the developer will agree to this.

Re: Public exhibition - SOS Bohunt Communty Action Group (15th Jun 2014 - 20:18:12) Ellie’s post is quite correct. There is no financial commitment by the developers of the Bohunt Frontage Land [Now renamed Bohunt Park] for the funding & long term maintenance of the Proposed Medical Centre, cricket field, allotments and the football pitch including the Pavilion. All these facilities will need to be funded by the interested organisations and not the developers, GVI Ltd. The Medical Centre has only outline planning approval and we understand that there is NHS funding problems for this facility. The suggested ‘relief’ road linking Longmoor Road with Portsmouth Road will not solve the problem of the traffic flows during peak times through The Square as the majority of traffic passes along Headley Road and Haslemere Road. We make no apologies in repeating below our previous Talkback Post because the SOS Bohunt Manor Community Action Group is committed to resisting the housing development on the Bohunt Manor Estate. 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 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. We thoroughly encourage attendance at the Exhibition next Tuesday and hope that those attending will voice concerns at the proposal to develop the Bohunt Manor Estate, which would not only destroy, for ever, our own Gateway to the SDNP, but also productive farm land.

Re: Public exhibition - Cynical (15th Jun 2014 - 21:32:25) A.Ryan Is it because you live on Devils Lane you dislike the chicken farm development and support the bohunt one?NIMBY??

Re: Public exhibition - ellie (15th Jun 2014 - 21:34:57) In response to A Ryan, the Bohunt manor application is not as straightforward as it seems. If the priniple of building is established there do you think they will stop at 250 houses if more could be crammed in ? You seem to have bought the premise that the Bohunt application offers infastructure for Liphook, it will not, as the Park is considered a seperation from Liphook. Also, just because the land has been farmed, it does not make it any less valuable as an open space. Most of Liphook at one time or another would have been lovely, and why spoil any more when there is other less attractive building land available.

Re: Public exhibition - bdavies (16th Jun 2014 - 09:35:55) I think that EHDC need to come clean regarding the true nature of these developer promises. All we have is an interpretation, the developers saying one thing to make it look great and the reality being something completely different. EHDC should put the reality of the situation on record at this meeting so that there is no ambiguity or false expectations. That way we can judge what is best for Liphook not for the building firms involved who are of secondary or lesser importance. We will be at the meeting in numbers demanding infrastructure improvements to allow the town to grow properly if we have to have it grow at all. Also, what's best for Liphook not EHDC as a whole, i.e. guarantees that any funds received WILL be used in Liphook not other towns/villages.

Re: Public exhibition - A. Ryan (16th Jun 2014 - 10:27:13) Cynical, You have me at a disadvantage, as you have posted using an alias. I wonder why? You obviously know me and where I dwell so you would know that the chicken farm plot would not affect the road I live in. The road would lead from the Berg Estate so would affect them. I would neither see the new houses, but as any Liphook resident I would like any new development to be built in the most advantageous place. As the council have asked people to put forward land in their Local Plan part 2 we could have any spare land being offered up. ( Here is the first line on EHDC website ) Local Plan Part 2: Allocations ‘Call for Sites’ Do you own or know someone who owns land that might be suitable and available for housing or employment development over the next 15 years? I am under no illusion that any developer is after a quick buck, which is why it is so important that these developments should be thought out properly and sensibly and to the benefit of Liphook residents.

Re: Public exhibition - starman (16th Jun 2014 - 11:40:18) Thanks Russ, for the information. From a laymen's point of view it is self evident that if the 5 housing plans go ahead then Liphook Square would have to be redeveloped unless a bypass is developed. Have you come across any specific plans for road development to relieve congestion/access by emergency services

Re: Public exhibition - Question 7 (16th Jun 2014 - 12:25:40) WHAT IS THE RUSH! Dawn is absolutely correct, Liphook has already approved 625 of the total 799 properties drawn up in the Joint strategic plan. NOTE: The lead time for the strategy is 2028, thus with the houses already authorised we have enough to 'keep us going' until 2024, Whilst seeing what this does to the community and infrastructure. The CYNICAL VIEW could be all the developers are trying to gain approval for the Liphook site (175 houses) before the Bordon application is approved in October, as this will give EHCC the 5 year land back they need to fulfill Government Objectives? With such a large development in Bordon, you may find monies submitted by developers from Liphook sites to EHCC, subsidies the larger scheme. Whilst commuter traffic is driven into the Liphook Parish due to the Train and A3 tunnel.

Re: Public exhibition - bdavies (16th Jun 2014 - 14:02:50) More traffic coming to Liphook due to the potential happenings in Bordon and the need to access trains etc. is unnacceptable. This will be made VERY CLEAR to EHDC tomorrow night. They will have a rebellion on their hands if they think that this is the way it will go!

Re: Public exhibition - Russ Ellis (16th Jun 2014 - 14:24:19) Well I haven’t got the response that I had hoped to get. You are all saying the same thing. Not on my doorstep. No one except A Ryan has suggested where we have these houses and infrastructure roads etc. Think back to when the square was closed for road repairs. CHAOS. We were told at the core strategy meeting that no development could be refused unless there was a cast iron reason to refuse it. So we could end up in the future with all 5 developments. That is what the rush is all about. We must act now and tell HCC, EHDC, Developers and Parish Council Not what we DON’T want but want we DO want and where we want it. Can I suggest that you write it all down and supply copies to all present at Tuesday’s meeting? Don’t just stick a pin in a map. We must also campaign to keep all the money from the developers in LIPHOOK for use in LIPHOOK as the editor has said.

Re: Public exhibition - Janet (17th Jun 2014 - 09:06:34) A reminder that this exhibition is today. An opportunity to see plans and maps of developments agreed or proposed and to put questions to the planners. The exhibition will be held in Liphook Millennium Centre this afternoon, Tuesday 17 June, from 3.30-8pm

Re: Public exhibition - A. Ryan (17th Jun 2014 - 10:16:30) Will those people using an alias be going incognito?

Re: Public exhibition - dawn (17th Jun 2014 - 10:40:55) Ha Ha, I have images of people shuffling in wearing big Mexican hats and dark glasses...what's your name...Juan..Juan Moment / Juan day at a time sweet Jesus/ Juan way or another/Juan small step for mankind. ROFL

Re: Public exhibition - Cynical (17th Jun 2014 - 14:09:49) Be careful what you wish for. Houses on Bohunt Manor would lead to many extra cars through the square. Would we really get a relief road despite any promises? There was meant to be one from the Haslemere Road through to the Sainsburys estate but what happened to that? Expensive lawyers decided there was not enough volume of traffic and so more houses were built instead. Is Liphook any busier than any other town during school run?

Re: Public exhibition - Daisy (17th Jun 2014 - 14:56:34) Where's the cricket ground gone from Bohunt 'Park'? Did have planning permission just off the Portsmouth Road - rervised plans cover whole area with houses! More broken promises. Bet the plan for allotments will go the same way.

Re: Public exhibition - ellie (17th Jun 2014 - 15:38:34) Daisy, it is as I posted before. They have only allocated a small bit of land for this use, they are not prepared to plough, administer, or maintain, or even put a road in themselves. They would like a group of people to come forward and pay for that themselves like the football club have to pay for everything themselves. Please do not be fooled by promises.

Re: Public exhibition - liz (17th Jun 2014 - 16:02:58) We are fortunate to live in a beautiful part of the country. We already have approval for most of our required allocation of housing until 2028. Plus there will be the development of Bordon. - Basically there should not be permission for any more than the 174 houses required to meet our quota and we have 'done our bit' (which many other areas have not). Do we want to destroy the landscape and the village?

Re: Public exhibition and the proposal for a relief road - Gavin (17th Jun 2014 - 17:03:39) Let us beware ill informed comments re a possible relief road for Liphook. The only relief road I saw a tthe exhibition was not a relief road at all. It merely linked the Longmoor Road with the Portsmouth Road. Who driving into Liphook on the Longmoor Road wants to go down the Portsmouth Road and vice versa. The traffic coming into Liphook on the Longmoor Road may, in school hours, head for Bohunt School, but otherwise would seem bound for Haslemere/ Midhurst area. Similarly traffic from the Haslemere Road or London Road heading for the A3 is hardly going to go down the Portsmouth Road to use this proposed link. What, for example, would be the effect on Station Road of any proposed roundabout on the junction of Portsmouth Road What is needed surely, is an independent traffic study, to understand the traffic flows in, around and through Liphook so a clear picture of traffic flows is obtained and a sensible plan can follow.

Re: Public exhibition - A. Ryan (17th Jun 2014 - 17:53:55) Well, rather a damp squid this public exhibition. Not very well thought out and nothing that we could not have access to on the internet. No one really to talk to and no one with that much understanding of what was being shown. This is why we should have a public meeting with our Councillor's so we can put suggestions forward that will bring benefits from these building proposals. And yes I did go as myself.

Re: Public exhibition - Jane Ives (17th Jun 2014 - 18:17:16) Gavin you're right. The other thing to watch out for is that 'relief' road would only be built if both Bohunt Manor and Longmoor Road developments were built as there are two separate landowners and two separate developers... That's an awful lot of houses and way more than 175!

Re: Public exhibition - Darren (17th Jun 2014 - 18:21:23) Gavin, you are quiet right the proposed relief road will link Portsmouth and Longmoor Roads through the proposed new housing development only if The Bohunt Manor and Northcott developers agree AND they get permission for their developments. What everyone must bear in mind though is that Liphook will get possibly hundreds of additional houses over the next few years (not just the 175 asked for by EHDC) and if you think the traffic is bad at peak times in the Square now, you ain't seen nothing yet! These two developers are the only ones even offering up land for improvements to Liphooks infrastructure (all the others just want to build the houses and scarper). Bohunt aren't offering to pay to build the Football pitches, club house, heath centre etc BUT they are offering the land to do it free(ish). Both will build the relief road as part of their development, at no cost (financially anyway) to us, the tax payer. Think carefully what is best for Liphook as a whole and not just how close the houses are to you and will it spoil a view. I can assure you we're all going to be affected quite severely by any development, where ever it is, unless some sort of new infrastructure (road) is built and the traffic is spread over more routes to get to the schools and the A3.

Re: Public exhibition - The Northcott Family (17th Jun 2014 - 19:08:53) Dear Residents, We read the summaries on each of the residential proposals in Liphook on this online community forum and wanted to take the opportunity to explain our plan a little further. As you may be aware from the recent leaflet drop and our stated intentions in the Liphook Herald, we have been keen to engage with local stakeholders and develop a scheme that is relevant to the locality. We want to build a scheme with locals that is both supported and is a source of pride. This note is a continuation of that spirit. A strategic scheme is necessary to ensure that local infrastructure can cope with additional development and our scheme, which proposes a relief road forms the basis of this. A relief road will provide route choice, enabling road users to bypass the village centre if travelling to the north and west or to Bohunt School and will also take traffic off the Longmoor road. The secondary access to the school will take traffic off Longmoor Road and away from the mini-roundabouts, freeing up traffic during the school runs and rush hour. We feel that the relief road is also essential for planning for the future. Many argue it is not required. However, with up to 800 new houses being developed in Liphook to 2028, a long-term proactive vision is required. Developer contributions help to provide development, but in an area constrained by local geography, such as Liphook, it is land that offers the key to unlocking rational, considered development alongside rigorous communal consultation. We are the only developer not to have submitted a scheme, reflecting our intent to engage and develop a solution with fellow local residents. Our family has lived in Liphook for over 60 years (and plans to do so for many more a generation), and so the Northcott Trust cares deeply about the future of Liphook and is offering land to provide the relief road and to open up the National park for the enjoyment and appropriate use by Liphook residents. We propose to improve, views, access, footpaths, landscaping and other facilities so that the National Park can become a central feature of recreational life for local residents and believe that current access is unnecessarily limited. In terms of community benefits, we would like to ask residents what they would like to see, rather than determine it for them. To kick-start that debate, however, we have preliminarily suggested the following: • A link road, running from Longmoor Road to Portsmouth Road. This is subject to current discussion with HCC Highways. • Land for expansion of Bohunt School or the development of a new educational facility by Hampshire County Council. This is subject to discussion with Bohunt School and HCC Education • An SDNPA Visitors Centre to attract use of the National Park and visitors to Liphook, encouraging spending in the village • A community park and other leisure space to allow informal activities, such as a football pitch • Significant opening up of currently private land for walks, leisure activities, trails We are still developing our proposals, but we seek to have a coherent and clearly outlined environmental strategy that will be central to them. We have commissioned an Architectural Competition to bring out the best in our proposals and are seeking local feedback – see www.liphookvision.com. The three winning architect’s concept proposals are being published and we look forward to receiving feedback from local residents. Additionally, we are hoping to provide some comprehensive benefits for the local community in relation to the national park, which we believe can outweigh any perceived negative aspects of the housing development. These include Nature Walks, Fishing Huts, Camping Grounds and a car park for national park access. This vision is centred upon the Northcott’s long-standing affinity with the national park and exemplary record of agricultural and environmental preservation in the local area. We hope that the above detail provides residents with a snapshot of our plans. They are comprehensive and, in line with our commitment to good, open engagement, we want to work with Liphook residents to complete them and provide Liphook with a viable and inspiring solution to housing demand to 2028. Our proposals are not the ‘decide and defend’ associated with the other schemes. We therefore hope that residents can take the proposals for what they are – an opportunity to control development, contribute their input into the final design and to create a truly strategic proposal. We look forward to discussing all these points and more with as many residents as possible tomorrow. With kind regards, The Northcott Family

Re: Public exhibition - John Pontet (17th Jun 2014 - 21:11:07) I was very disappointed in the presentation of information at this exhibition. It's whole purpose was to inform the visitor and obtain views but it was evident as soon as I entered the room that EHDC's heart was not in this exercise - they appear to be merely going through the motions, and have spared every penny in offering a vision for the future of Liphook. Despite this shortcoming, visitors have delivered a very clear message to EHDC and HCC: our local priorities are the ability of services and road infrastructure to cope with a growing community. We rely on them to get it right after the debacle of missed opportunities in the planning of the former OSU site.

Re: Public exhibition - Janet A (17th Jun 2014 - 22:12:51) Well, I was glad that I hadn't made a special trip to see this exhibition and had just popped in on my way to somewhere else. The whole thing looked rather like a GCSE geography project knocked up by a group of enthusiastic school kids! Does EHDC think a few pretty pictures (with no explanation of what they are) and inviting people to stick little stars on a big sheet of paper counts as an informative exhibition? I don't think many of us were fooled.

Re: Public exhibition - Russ Ellis (17th Jun 2014 - 23:03:39) John Pontet You have hit the nail on the head. You obviously know how we have been stitched up in the past by developers and poor decisions by EHDC. Yes I had the same feeling as I walked into the room. Total disinterest by the EHDC representatives that were there and total arrogance by National Park representatives. Where do we go from here? Perhaps we should do what the French do when there councils and government don’t listen, they blockade the roads etc. How about blockading the square at peak times. Perhaps that would make the powers to be sit up and listen to the community who are looking to the future when we are going to be a large town.

Re: Public exhibition - ellie (17th Jun 2014 - 23:40:28) the only people to suffer in a blockade are local businesses and the emergency services. Ehdc only read the front article in the newspapers which say that the local population welcome all the plans which are put forward. They did not report the packed public meeting last year at he Millennium Hall did they? I do hope that lots of people made their views known today?

Re: Public exhibition - Karen (18th Jun 2014 - 06:56:21) I thought it was just a large NIMBY exercise. Bit of a joke really. Not enough information and very bored looking EHDC reps. All of the residents seem to be saying the same thing so I hope they will listen.

Re: Public exhibition the Proposed Relief Road - Gavin (18th Jun 2014 - 08:02:29) Just to be clear about the proposal of a Relief Road put forward by our 'friendly developers'; a designated Relief Road is built by the Highways of Hampshire and therefore funded not by any Developer himself, but by us, the ever generous tax payer. Hence the importance of getting whatever relief road is ever planned in exactly the right place. Otherwise more traffic chaos will ensue. Funny the Developers do not mention that!

Re: Public exhibition - liz (18th Jun 2014 - 08:21:38) The Exhibition just ticks boxes with the planners as does the 'Northcott Family' (i.e. "not nasty developers") letter on this page. All 'public consultation' but not actually listening.

Re: Public exhibition - Nick Hancock (18th Jun 2014 - 13:08:35) One of the many disappointments at yesterday's exhibition was the number of people who put their little stickers on the Bohunt site. It seems hard to explain when you read the views on this thread. But yesterday I did receive a typed flyer from someone urging us all to vote for the Bohunt site because the only way we were going to get the community facilities built was if they were subsidised from housing development. Are there lots of people out there who genuinely believe that GVI will pay for medical centres, sports grounds etc? If GVI have said no such thing then these people need to be disabused!

Re: Public exhibition - Nick Hancock (18th Jun 2014 - 13:13:54) Small point on the Northcott family post on this thread. If the purpose of their relief road is to allow easier access to Bohunt, how are all the cars going to get into the relief road at the far end (Portsmouth Road)? Will they all come down Station Road? That would be fun, particularly when there are trucks delivering at Plumbase. Or perhaps they would prefer to access it from the Square? Some relief road!

Re: Public exhibition - Dawn Hoskins (18th Jun 2014 - 13:30:55) From feedback received from locals attending (who had no prior understanding of all the numerous sites and were seeking an unbiased view as to the pros and cons) have told me EHDC did not help them to understand how the hundreds of homes already given the go-ahead would affect their lives (either negatively or positively) and with regard to those hundreds in-the-pipeline there was only info as to what benefits the developers themselves were 'selling' to the village. In hindsight I think it would have been better for Parish Councillors to run the event and pass comments on to EHDC - that way local Councillors who are passionate about their surroundings would have been able to act as a two-way conduit for information both from EHDC to parishioners and also in reverse from parishioners back up to EHDC. What a shame that so many people have left feeling it was an amateur production

Re: Public exhibition - A. Ryan (18th Jun 2014 - 13:46:40) No one is under any illusion that the developer will pay for the medical center etc, why do people persist in bringing that old cherry up. Land is just being offered up as far as I see it. Most people I spoke to thought the Bohunt site far the best option, as having new homes on what is not a particularly scenic area, close to the amenities of New town shops and the station seems preferable to having one on the outskirts of the village. "...what is not a particularly scenic area" - not sure everyone would agree with that comment. Although the destruction of the hedgerow and the start of the roundabout has had a recent detrimental affect!

Re: Public exhibition - SOS Bohunt Manor (18th Jun 2014 - 14:15:31) This photograph was taken yesterday and SOS Bohunt Manor Community Action Group believes this complements our assertion that the Estate, located in the SDNP, should not be blighted with housing. Bohunt Manor Estate looking West towards Weavers Down

Re: Public exhibition - ellie (18th Jun 2014 - 15:11:04) where in liphook then would the view be more scenic ? we live where we live and should preserve the best bits-- just because the land is not like the devils dyke for example does not mean we should not preserve the best bits of the area. The Park boundary must have been chosen for a good reason.

Re: Public exhibition - A. Ryan (18th Jun 2014 - 15:24:28) Perhaps I did put that rather harshly, but it can not be denied that these fields were agricultural fields, and at one time not very visible from the road. I lived on the corner of Station Road in the 1970's and could not see into the field from my window. We do have some beautiful "natural" scenery around Liphook which I wholeheartedly agree should not be touched. My reasons for this proposal as opposed to others is the close proximity to the shops and station. I have no other agenda than what I believe to be the common sense decision. If one Google maps the area you will see how stark the area actually is. Surely with some planning we could keep the trees along the Portsmouth road to screen the area, and get TPO's on the trees worth keeping.

Re: Public exhibition - Editor (18th Jun 2014 - 15:44:45) This satellite image shows the area of the Bohunt Manor proposed development.

Re: Public exhibition - bdavies (18th Jun 2014 - 15:52:37) People's preferences should always be considered but as people have said in this thread, it may be the ambiguity of the level of returns we get as a town/village that is skewing opinion. The National Park boundary was drawn up for a reason, priimarily to limit encroachment on what is supposed to be a public amenity for all to enjoy. And I hope that EHDC remember their place here. The SDNP authority will decide, not EHDC, whether Bohunt can be built on. The current owners trashed the frontage in an attempt to lower its scenic value; they should be made to restore to its original state!

Re: Public exhibition - liz (18th Jun 2014 - 16:01:38) The Station Road side of the Bohunt site is a mess at the moment because that is what the developers have done to it for obvious reasons. They have removed an old hedgerow and, I believe, some trees with TPO's -although these have to be or have been reinstated -but presumable not with trees of the same size. It is within the National Park -presumably this was considered carefully when the initial boundary was extended. It also has sites of particular ecological interest and possibly even a Roman villa. An inital proposal by these developers for this site also included a link road between the Longmoor Rd and Station Rd - which will be pretty useless really as several have mentioned

Re: Public exhibition - Trevor Maroney (18th Jun 2014 - 16:52:39) We can well understand the frustration felt following last night’s exhibition on future housing; you were being asked for your views on preferred sites for 175 houses without all the information being available to you. It is a complex, interrelated issue which some of us have been wrestling with for some time and even now we do not have all the answers. What took place last night was the influence marketing by the developers has on each and every one of us. Those with the most to offer the community, and the biggest issues affecting our daily lives, received the most dots and stars respectively. And yet housing in the wrong location can make traffic situations far worse than they currently are. Ideally we need a Neighbourhood Plan, and one that the majority can agree on. The nearest we have to this is the Bramshott & Liphook Parish Plan, which may ultimately have some influence on decisions made by EHDC planners. The Plan’s Steering Group is currently looking at the community’s needs for new facilities, infrastructure and suitable employment sites. We have drawn most of your views together into a list of Consolidated Recommendations. These need to be thrashed out before any decision can be made on the location of future housing. If you wish to have your views considered we would like to hear from you. More detailed information is available from the website at www.liphookplan.co.uk. The question you should ask yourself is “Have we considered all practical solutions?” Chairman BLPP

Re: Public exhibition - Colin (18th Jun 2014 - 18:33:38) I have lived in Liphook most of my life, and I understand people need housing, but we need it on sensible sustainable brownfield sites!. In the last week I have had flyers for Bohunt Manor land development, Longmoor Road development, and the 'Chicken farm' redevelopment. Houses, houses houses. Not only are the Longmoor Road and Bohunt Manor areas of outstanding natural beauty, which belongs to the South Downs National Park, but all the sites will not have sufficient traffic or road infrastructure to support the housing developments. Portsmouth Road (which used to be the old A3, which few remember) is already heavily congested throughout the day, this is mainly due to the commuters parking down Portsmouth Road. So how will the existing infrastructure be able to cope? As for Longmoor Road, the school site area is also very congested, especially around school time. Before allowing housing, shouldn't we try and leviate the parking situation in the village? Also development of the greenfield sites will only increase traffic congestion and road accidents along the Portsmouth Road, which is already an on-going issue due to train station commuters parking stationary vehicles down the road near the proposed Bohunt Manor development site entrance. Congestion along the Portsmouth Road and Longmoor Road, and of key roads into the village square, would increase significantly if the developments went ahead, causing the village to become further heavily congested during peak times. The Midhurst Road, after the Station bridge is a very poorly maintained road, which regularly floods and which is in need of widening or improvement to support the existing traffic! Housing behind the Burge estate would be out of the way, and wouldn't severely interfere with traffic however, the Midhurst road would need to be significantly improved first. The developers proposal of a 'relief road' would not work. The traffic on the Portsmouth Road is already horrendous! Especially during school or rush hour traffic times. It is common for traffic to be queuing from the Liphook Square down to the Church Centre entrance on the Portsmouth Road. Allowing this relief road will augment the developers chances of building further housing on the protected greenfield land, and it would help the Bohunt Manor developers to finally get their application approved for housing. I feel developing such large areas of the South Downs National Park and further developing already traffic congested areas would ruin Liphook further, but also completely defy the purpose of the SDNP land protection scheme. Does anyone else agree?

Re: Public exhibition - liz (19th Jun 2014 - 09:25:48) I agree Colin, very much so, but I'm afraid the likelihood is that the whole lot will get built. I'm really not sure what we can do about it. We have elected district councillors - but they don't seem very interested.

Re: Public exhibition - ellie (19th Jun 2014 - 10:02:35) yes i saw two of them at the exhibition and they were assuming that it is a done deal i think. The whole thing was just a tick box exercise - have we consulted with the public ? tick

Re: Public exhibition - bdavies (19th Jun 2014 - 11:29:20) This is only a done deal if we just accept that it is. These things follow the path of least resistance and if we are apathetic in Liphook then the assumption will be that we are not bothered. District Council would not have to worry about Liphook as much as other towns that are finally rebelling against the increased housing being foisted on them - take Billingshurst (WSCC) and Alton (EHDC) as two examples. We already have the Bohunt action group and we are still entitled to fight for the infrastructure improvements that we need to ensure that Liphook grows as a real community and not as a character free, drive through, housing estate. That is our problem, we do not tough it out enough.

Re: Public exhibition - ellie (19th Jun 2014 - 17:09:50) I agree but how would you force the district council then to take your points of view on board? it is planning officers at the council who have to listen!

Re: Public exhibition - Peter (19th Jun 2014 - 18:50:42) I would like to know why a number of our parish councillor seem intent on blocking the Bohunt Manor development which offers so many community facilites without offering alternative to provide these facilities elsewhere. OK it may just be the land that they are offering but no one else has offered anything of the kind anywhere else. Also it may be lost on some, but if we get this land it just has to be better than putting money into a pot which goes to EHDC and then could go anywhere and not necessarily Liphook. Why dont parish councillors work with the Bohunt developers so that the community get all the community services which were approved instead of preventing the community from getting these or could they tell us what alternatives they can offer us I went to the vote yesterday and the support was overwhelmingly in favour of Bohunt Manor DESPITE someone from the Park telling me that I should not vote for Bohunt because it is in the park This person, later got in to an argument, yes an argument, with a lady who wanted to vote for Bohunt. What exactly is going on here. Our own parish councillors should now listen to the community. We do not want houses in Chiltley or Highfield lanes it is not suitable and offers nothing back to the community and would a traffic nightmare along these narrow lanes Listen to the people for once.

Re: Public exhibition - Jeanette Kirby (19th Jun 2014 - 22:47:31) There have been comments about Councillors not listening to the community but unfortunately it seems that a large number of people attending the consultation were not listening to the officers telling them what the purpose of the consultation was. The consultation was run by East Hampshire District Council to ask the community where they wanted houses in LIPHOOK. The boundary of Liphook was clearly marked on the maps (it was the white area). Liphook has been allocated an additional 175 houses to those either built in the last few years or with planning permission and due to be built. The South Downs National Park officer was there to advise the community about development in the National Park (marked in blue on the map). He was very clear about the difference between development in EHDC and that in the National Park; the purpose of the National Park and their status with regard to the NPPF. There is a separate policy regarding proposed development inside the National Park which adjoins settlements outside of the National Park. This will apply to the five SHLAA sites close to Liphook including Bohunt and Northcott Trust sites. Residents were not being asked where they wanted development in the National Park. The Joint Core Strategy has been prepared by two separate planning authorities (EHDC and the SDNP) and each has its own housing allocation. The Parish Council, those on the Parish Plan and East Hampshire District Council are fully aware of concerns about traffic congestion and improvements required to infrastructure. The Parish Council will continue to assess each planning application on its own merits, its impact on Liphook and its roads and infrastructure and also its compliance with planning legislation. The planning decision will be made by either EHDC or the SDNPA. It is very kind of EHDC to allocate US an extra 175 houses. But what if we don't want them and REFUSE to accept them. Could they please let some other deserving community have them. How's Liss and Petersfield doing ? I bet there are developers there would LOVE to take our 175 houses ! Could we sell our allocation to them ? OK slightly tongue in cheek, but why do we have to accept this at all. Let's rebel and tell EHDC to **** *** !

Re: Public exhibition - A. Ryan (20th Jun 2014 - 08:02:19) Can't build in Petersfield, it's in the National Park!

Re: Public exhibition - Jeanette Kirby (20th Jun 2014 - 08:14:29) EHDC (and the SDNP) have prepared a Joint Core Strategy, part of which involved allocating housing need across the district. It seems to have been accepted by the government inspector. If not accepted then we could have had a far greater allocation placed upon Liphook and indeed other communities. Liphook has been allocated 175 houses, the SDNP has been allocated 100 houses (not specifically to Liphook) but to be built in various smaller settlements throughout the district. Planning legislation for developments in National Parks is different to that outside National Parks. That is what the SDNP officer was telling people at the exhibition. Bramshott and Liphook was being asked by EHDC where it wanted housing within the parish boundary. The part which was marked white on the maps. Surely if communities in the SDNP had a similar exhibition and voted that housing should go on all five SHLAA sites adjoing Liphook the people of Liphook would be outraged. An additional 175 houses within the parish boundary of Bramshott and Liphook will have impact enough on the existing roads and infrastructure. Planning applications in the SDNP will still go ahead, will still be assessed by the Parish Council, and if they are considered to be major developments then they will be decided upon by the SDNP planning authority.

Re: Public exhibition - Janet (20th Jun 2014 - 08:23:44) The unfortunate fact is that we have too many people in the UK for the current number of homes. People have to live somewhere. Therefore we have two options: reduce the number of people or increase the number of homes. I doubt any politician would be brave enough to suggest the former. Enforced abortions? A ban on IVF? Enforced sterilisation? Enforced limits on family size? I can't see those being vote winners.

Re: Public exhibition - JJ (20th Jun 2014 - 09:11:07) I was told clearly by the officer from the park that I could not vote for Bohunt Manor, which was my choice for a variety of reasons. Because Bohunt Manor was my preferred choice I did not want to vote for any of the other sites, so I left without voting. Surely democracy should count in this village

Re: Public exhibition - Jeanette Kirby (20th Jun 2014 - 09:18:05) This exercise has highlighted the lack of understanding about the complexities of the current planning system. A. Ryan has just made an incorrect statement about housing in the National Park. To put the records straight there is housing development in Petersfield. There is in fact housing development throughout the National Park. Most housing has been allocated in the main towns and settlements and as previously mentioned an additional 100 for communities spread throughout the SDNP. Housing in the SDNP has been allocated to sustainable settlements within the National Park. EHDC did an identical exercise in deciding where to allocate housing in east hampshire district. Developments in the SDNP will be considered where they provide benefits for communities 'within the National Park', together with all the other constraints relating to National Park planning legislation. As stated before, the SDNP is a separate planning authority to EHDC. It is EHDC that have allocated 175 houses to Bramshott and Liphook NOT the SDNP.

Re: Public exhibition - JJ (20th Jun 2014 - 09:50:58) Jeanette the majority of us in the village would like the Bohunt Manor development in preference to the others and it would be right that you, as a councillor, should represent the community s wishes. i doubt that the vote was representative of the community s wishes because there may have been others who, like myself, were told that we could not vote for Bohunt Manor, though it is interesting to see that this site was the favourite anyway. i think that the parish should hold another vote for the public without the parkland officers being present, but with the inclusion of Bohunt manor on the voting list. I also read the article in the local paper which confirms my points.

Re: Public exhibition - A. Ryan (20th Jun 2014 - 10:01:37) Jeanette Have you never heard the word "irony" ?

Re: Public exhibition - liz (20th Jun 2014 - 11:06:21) It won't suit the developers - but what about a few houses in several sites so no mega impact anywhere. OK not realistic I know but it would be smaller communities nor massive estates.

Re: Public exhibition - SOS Bohunt Manor Community Action Group (20th Jun 2014 - 12:59:24) JJ We must remember that the SOS Bohunt Community Action Group was set up as a direct result of the public meeting held last July when all attendees, apart from one, voiced their great concerns regarding the proposed development of the Bohunt Manor Estate. To state in your post that “the majority of us in the village would like the Bohunt Manor development in preference to the others” is not proven or we suggest correct. The feedback we are receiving from a large number of residents indicates that there is substantial support for our campaign. There was no ‘vote’ at the Exhibition although visitors were given the opportunity to apply stickers on the sites they deemed appropriate for housing to be built. At the exhibition East Hampshire District Council did not provide adequate information about the various sites to enable a meaningful appraisal to be undertaken. We noted that the EHDC representatives did not audit those placing stickers on their preferred site[s] and the system was open to abuse. The full planning application from GVI Ltd is expected in the near future for 210 houses [Originally 175 as at July 2013] Once the application has been received we will respond accordingly reflecting the concerns raised by the overwhelming numbers of residents that attended the meeting last July.

Re: Public exhibition - liz (20th Jun 2014 - 14:51:55) JJ What evidence that do you have that "the majority of us in the village would like the Bohunt Manor development". None, I would suggest. I know a fair number of people in and around the village and have lived in the area a long time. I know many against the Bohunt development, some who are indifferent - but actually none in favour. That said, I wouldn't dare suggest that this is a representative sample.

Re: Public exhibition - ellie (20th Jun 2014 - 18:40:54) As was pointed out above, all that is on offer is land at Bohunt. The football club have yet to raise at least a million themselves, to get the road and facilities, clubhouse pitch car parking, land equipment to maintain it etc to their required standard. The fact that the developers are not even going to provide the access road to this "community facility " speaks volumes. The SDNP refused permission for the outside classroom, because no one came forward to claim ongoing maintenance or to actually pay to build it, and they noted that the Medical centre which when it got permission 3 or more years ago we were told by the developers how everyone was desperate to get it built then, still has had no interest in anyone wanting to fund it. So no, you have no community facilities. Also the Parish council have to listen to the 200 plus people who packed the hall last year to say we do not want to build there!

Re: Public exhibition - JJ (20th Jun 2014 - 19:11:51) the reason that i say the Bohunt site has the majority support is because it apparently had more votes on for houses than all the other sites put together. this is odd, because when i was going to vote, i was told that i could not vote for the Bohunt site so, being a wimp, i just left the venue, but i did not wish to vote for any of the others because they do offer anything for the village. i also did not want to argue with the officer from the park and being ex services, i tend to tow the line - not very good i know i take your point that this still may not represent the views of the whole or majority of liphook, as there may be a considerable 'no to any development whatsoever' group however i understood that the village was obliged by central government to take further housing and i would therefore like it to go in the best spot which also gives back the most to the community and the only one that is offering anything at all to the community is the Manor site i too also cannot understand why the local councillors are not behind it as they have not come up with any alternatives for the football club and, my particular interest, the new surgery for the village which is badly needed. they should also sort out the traffic problems but i expect this may take many years

Re: Public exhibition - Andy (21st Jun 2014 - 14:59:59) I say Thank You to the Parish Council for arranging the event. During my visit nearly all Attendees seemed to be Mr & Mrs Well-Heeled of Liphook and in the \'senior\' age-bracket: nothing wrong with that of course but other types - equally entitled to a view - didn\'t seem to be there. There appeared to be comparatively little careful attention to the informative boards - the main attraction being the roulette-style table for placing your sticky-label. An understanding of the laws and government policies for all Britain\'s National Parks seems to me essential for this work and from other posts and the Herald article perhaps not all of us have woken up yet to the arrival of the South Downs National Park and what that status brings, whether you like it or not ! There are ways to seek to change these laws & policies if you want. There was obvious block-voting. I heard exclamation that his/her sticker should simply be furthest away from where they live. If anyone thinks that this will neutralise all issues of infrastructure and sustainability - complex issues - I suggest they might be mistaken ! It was disappointing that we could not distribute our sticky-label to more than one or several of the EHDC-approved locations; I personally see no need for Liphook to have a new large housing estate. Little LIP024 opposite The Links, a perfectly sound EHDC location, had no votes at all. Block-voting with your friends seemed endemic. Again - Thank you to the Parish Council and the EHDC/SDNP planning officers for organising this event.

Re: Public exhibition - Karina (25th Jun 2014 - 10:54:04) I went along and found both the EHDC and the South Downs NP representatives approachable and helpful. It was interesting to listen to other attendees and get questions answered by the officials present. I do not want to see further growth of Liphook. It has overgrown itself a long time ago. I certainly do not want to see any new buildings on green fields/open spaces. Despite ugly developments e.g. King George's hospital (who knows how that horrible gheto city was allowed to happen), we are still lucky to be surrounded by open country and for some of Liphook to be on the National Park land. Do not allow new estates to grow on green fields an DEFINITELY not on the SDNP land!

Re: Public exhibition - ellie (25th Jun 2014 - 18:29:27) unfortunately there is option but to have more housing, there is no way that we can refuse, the only thing we can influence is where it is placed. The designation of the SDNP means that they will have a separate plan to adhere to, and foremost in their plan is a phrase that where an adjoining settlement has plenty of sites coming forward ( which Liphook has) then they will not need to build houses. The great expense in setting up the Park would have been wasted would it not if they do not have to maintain seperate planning laws, what would be the point of the Park?

Reply to THIS thread
Talkback Home