Reply to THIS thread
Start a NEW Talkback Thread
Talkback Home

Retirement Village plans - Freddie Dawkins (14th Nov 2006 - 11:34:37) Thought it might be useful to update everyone on what's happening about the OSU site land and the proposed "Retirement Village"for the site. Contrary to some local reports, there's still an active development plan. The true story is that Appleshaw Group have pulled out - but the owners of the site still want a mixed development with housing, a Health Centre etc. The Bell Cornwell Partnership, who are Chartered Town Planners, have said that they have listened carefully to local views and as a consequence have changed and altered the scheme plans and will pursue the application. They will either have a different operator on board at the beginning or the end of the project, to replace Appleshaw.

Re: Retirement Village plans - Niall Greenwood (14th Nov 2006 - 13:45:50) Freddie, Thanks for the update, which as you say runs contrary to other versions going around, including last week's Herald. When the developers say they have 'listened to local feedback' what exactly do they mean - I don't recall them being at the Public Forum? Regards, Niall

Re: Retirement Village plans - Freddie Dawkins (17th Nov 2006 - 10:50:03) Hi, Niall - I think the developers were at the Forum - and don't forget the display at the Parish Office, when they put all their plans and posters up - might still be there, I saw them on the wall a few days ago. There have also been discussions at Parish and District Council level between planning officers, councillors and the developers. I'm not sure what the timescale is and how far the application will go but at least the developers are making an effort to keep us informed. If I hear any more I'll post here. Freddie

Re: Retirement Village plans - MA (20th Nov 2006 - 11:07:49) Bit concerned that the granting of this approval will change the designation of the site - once the council have agreed to houses - whatever their description, will surely open up the 'twisting' of the permission - I have seen this happen in another county, we need to nip it in the bud now !! Why don't the parish council acquire it for the long looked for sports fields ? MA

Re: Retirement Village plans - Niall greenwood (21st Nov 2006 - 08:38:53) Freddie, I'm also a bit concerned about the apparent lack of consultantation - ok, the Appleshaw Group did expose themselves to a Public Forum, but they have now withdrawn from the scheme. From what you say nobody even knows whether the Bell Cornwall Partnership was at the meeting, and for them to say they have 'listened to local views' is not the same as them meeting their obligations to have discussions with the Council. Is this level of 'local engagement' going to be another poorly based assumption, just like the assumption that there was 'general local support for the King George's site development' - although no one actually knows where it came from? Are there other discussion going on that we are not aware of, because I think the people of Liphook deserve a say in such a large and central development in the village?

Re: Retirement Village plans - LR (21st Nov 2006 - 19:42:55) A playing field..........what a lovely thought!!!..............or even just a pleasant green oasis with trees, bushes and natural vegetation to encourage birds. Most of us seem to be depressingly resigned to the fact that if there is an undeveloped space anywhere in the village then it simply has to be built on. I guess the reason is because we feel helpless knowing that land is money and money drives our world and nothing is more powerful. We are very lucky to have Radford Park, the Recreation Ground and a village green in Liphook and very nice it all is too, but it feels as if someone is saying "be grateful for what you've got and accept that's all the open space you're getting, everywhere else has to be built on". Just for a moment close your eyes, forget money and profit, developers and planners with their quotas of new houses to be met, and imagine a world where creating a beneficial environment for local people and wildlife is the most important priority......imagine a place where we could have a playground for young children from the Midhurst Road side of the village, a modern skate park for the teens, a sports field and a nicely planted area with benches for sitting or perhaps a small wild area designated as a nature reserve ........ .....but when you open your eyes the dream is cruelly shattered and you cynically return to the real world where building houses, retirement homes or light industry is the only option on the table for the remaining OSU land. There's no financial profit in playing fields or nature reserves.........and even if there was, some people would no doubt come up with objections to another public space ("oh, it'll only be vandalised, so what's the point!"). And there's the problem of how we would fund the initial outlay and then the maintenance. Money is as always all powerful. In Victorian times formal parks with flower beds and a fountain were created by councils appealing to local people to make a subscription. Perhaps those days are over, but maybe not. In the more recent past, it's more or less the way Radford Park was created during the 1970s. The late Wing Commander Derry who was a Parish Councillor just pushed through all the red tape and appealed to local philanthropists to donate large sums of cash, and he made Radford Park happen against all the odds. Now it seems to be too much effort for our council to try and make something happen that all local people would really benefit from for generations to come. In contrast, think about it, how many people have you actually heard clamouring for more retirement homes here? Maybe I'm out of the loop, but I haven't heard any. It's just so much easier to concrete over the area and take the profit..............

Re: Retirement Village plans - Freddie Dawkins (21st Nov 2006 - 22:25:51) MA - no permission has been granted at this stage. The developers are publicising their ideas and reacting to initial public feedback. The site was designated an employment site when the OSU/Sainsbury's development started years ago. It'll be interesting to see what happens next.

Re: Retirement Village plans - Chris (22nd Nov 2006 - 04:41:05) I like LR's vision but the reality is that the former OSU site is now designated "brown field" and therefore a prime target for building. Perhaps this wasn't the case before Sainsburies and the new housing that surrounds it came into being it but I'd rather see building here than on many of our Green Field areas that seem to be constantly under threat.

Re: Retirement Village plans - S (22nd Nov 2006 - 10:45:29) I closed my eyes and I tried to imagine the picture although I couldn't imagine because the picture was already there. The picture in my mind was Liphook as I was growing up prior to the Sainsburys and surrounding eyesore that now is. Ok so OSU was a load of large hangars but I prefer that to the mess the place is in now. The masses of people moved into the area to commute to London and so that they can boast that they live in the country to their suit friends, the massive increase in traffic, the huge increase in crime, the masses of abusive kids and teenagers that hang around the street corners.

Re: Retirement Village plans - S (22nd Nov 2006 - 12:13:43) I forgot to add on the end of my last post that none of the last paragraph appear in the forementioned picture and never did.

Re: Retirement Village plans - Niall Greenwood (22nd Nov 2006 - 14:22:18) Freddie' You wrote, 'The developers are publicising their ideas and reacting to initial public feedback.' Great, could you please let us know how this is happening, and how we can respond? Thanks, Niall

Re: Retirement Village plans - Mr R M Ellis (22nd Nov 2006 - 21:18:42) I have attended and spoken at all the planning meetings for the OSU site since the developers have tried to get permission to build houses on it and at the last appeal the government turned down their application saying this site must be used as a business park for employment only. The developers are now trying to twist the ruling by pretending that this plan will create employment but will be manly housing again. The only employment retirement and nursing homes provide is for a very small minority. We have masses of houses we have a great many nursing homes and possible a retirement village at King Georges site. I have recently had to visit a nursing and a retirement home in the village and they both had vacancies. What we are very short of is work unites of varying sizes for small and large business for local employment. That is what this site was designated for from the first planning application for the whole site. The parish council with the backing of many Liphook residents have fought long and hard to keep this brown field site for employment only. Absolutely NO HOUSES. Lets all keep backing the council on this issue.

Re: Retirement Village plans - Freddie Dawkins (22nd Nov 2006 - 21:50:55) Niall - Pop into or telephone the Parish Office. If you speak to the staff, they will be able to give you contact names and numbers and timelines. rgds Freddie

Re: Retirement Village plans - Grahame Polley (23rd Nov 2006 - 15:48:28) Perhaps this land could be used to provide a proper youth building with coffee bar, a stage for local bands to use, non-alcoholic bar etc.

Re: Retirement Village plans - Mike Grimes (24th Nov 2006 - 00:01:29) If these "employment use" developments were ever built who would occupy them? It is important to remember that businesses create employment, not buildings. If there were a demand for business premises they would be built. There isn't and that is why the site is still undeveloped. I think we have to be more imaginative (and realistic) about what we want from this area - before it becomes a traveller's short stay site. The possible mistake that was made by the planning authorities was not to insist that the "employment use" part of the site be built before Sainsbury's or the residential part. But if that had happened, it might still be empty today.

Re: Retirement Village plans - Mr R M Ellis (25th Nov 2006 - 14:16:23) I agree with Mr Grimes, Yes business do provide employment but you do have to have buildings to accommodate business. As for saying there is no call for business how do you know. This site has never been advertised. I have been in business in Liphook for 37yrs recently retired and had a great many inquiries for my workshop. My wife recently attended a local dentist and he told her he was hoping the OSU site would soon be developed because he wants to stay in Liphook but cannot find suitable premises. Also in the last year 3 new units in the Longmoor Road have been developed and occupied immediately. I think the Parish Council are more qualified to know the needs of the village and at all of the meetings about this piece of land the majority of the Council and residents realise there is a need to reverse the flow of business out of Liphook which is happening now. Are you aware that the last time the developer presented plans for the site to the Parish Council it was for business and retail units? The Parish Council and residents at the planning meeting gave its approval. The developer promptly withdrew the plans. How strange. They are just playing for time until they can build houses, which are more profitable. Building more houses on the LAST PIECE of commercial land in Liphook will not help the infrastructure. We are now designated a small town but we do not have the facilities to go with it. Liphook at the moment is just a dormitory town with all the problems associated with that. When the development is built maybe the contractor could be encouraged to build something for the youth of Liphook. So the debate goes on while Sainsbury’s build a bigger store. Is that not commercial?

Re: Retirement Village plans - mammal (4th Apr 2007 - 07:19:22) ehdc/planningapplicationsonline.. Follow link above to object to the proposed retirement village. There is still time to voice opinions.

Re: Retirement Village plans - Editor (4th Apr 2007 - 09:12:56) Personally I would prefer this plan for the retirement village over the plans for more houses on the remaining OSU site. It should also stop the attempts to turn other properties in the village into retirement flats with the associated parking problems. See these threads - Liphook average age to increase substantially! Planning Permission

Re: Retirement Village plans - Eneida (4th Apr 2007 - 09:36:14) I agree with you Ed. I think if the King George's Hospital site becomes a retirement village it will make it far less likely that permission will be given for another such scheme on the OSU land. IMO that should be for commercial use only. Eneida

Re: Retirement Village plans - Sumi Beken (4th Apr 2007 - 16:48:31) EHDC planning The deadline for objections is 9th April according to the website. Sumi

Re: Retirement Village plans - Steve Read (4th Apr 2007 - 19:31:10) This site should have been used for the business park. Lloyds were looking at relocating years ago to this site. That never happened, it should then have been developed as a purpose built industrial centre, well away from the centre of the village and good links onto the main A3. Why didn't it happen? I know and a lot of other people know, but it would not be printed on here. So now we are going for the retirement plan, marvellous! I suppose our current Doctors have not got much on so can always fit in a few more hundred flu jabs. Wouldn't it be nice to have low cost housing built for local people to stand a chance of getting on the ladder. mmm Dream On!

Re: Retirement Village plans - candyfloss (4th Apr 2007 - 20:47:38) Retirement village? would this mean that they would have a complete community support system, shops, doctors, dentist, etc? If not at least transport into what we call LIPHOOK. If all the 'retirement' age people moved out of their old homes - wouldn't that make space for younger people? Only if they were locals to begin with!!. I thought the popular idea for retirement was to move abroad!! It seems that so many people critise others, but don't have anything practical or useful to add to a subject thats why we are in the mess we are!!

Re: Retirement Village plans - Steve Read (4th Apr 2007 - 22:55:35) So Darby and Joan selling their town house for £0000000 and buying a retirement flat or condo in "the country" is going to make their house available to first time buyers. Yeah ok! People of retirement age are usualy looking to downsize, that is only understandable, in no way is this helping first time buyers, more so in the south. What I was implying is that a purpose development for low cost housing was made available primarily for local people. the problem comes when low cost housing is built and then through housing associations and people buying to let these properties are then taken by people from out of the area. This has happened right in the centre of the village. Its a shame but I just feel the opportunity is there with the hospital site.

Re: Retirement Village plans - Chris (5th Apr 2007 - 06:43:50) There has been no detailed traffic prediction survey nor has there been any detailed research into the burden this will place on the local infrastructure. The developers (if that is the correct description of them) are not even based in Hampshire. Another case of "build and run" without due care and consideration for real local needs. Retirement village? Come off it! More like an opportunity to make a fast buck and nuts to the consequences!

Re: Retirement Village plans - mammal (6th Apr 2007 - 06:58:29) Look, the main thing here is at least to object. The Parish council stated that they would never allow development the other side of the river, I mean there are several thousand houses in Hampshire vacant, use them. Of what earthly use are retirement homes, how in God's name does that drive down house prices. Complete madness the whole concept should be bitterly fought out. Particularly given the Surrey hospital now under threat. More homes less hosptals. Insane.

Re: Retirement Village plans - Mike Grimes (6th Apr 2007 - 19:25:41) The Parish Council does not have the power to stop development. It can only advise EHDC on planning applications and it regularly does. EHDC can, itself, be overidden on certain schemes.

Re: Retirement Village plans - candyfloss (11th Apr 2007 - 09:32:14) I am going to be very controversial now, and change my view of the 'retirement village'. Perhaps this would not be a bad thing in the long run for us all. Basically, the older generation grasp the concept of village life better, like to support local shops and have probably opted to move from other areas that have already been ravaged by large commercial organizations!! They enjoy a chat in the small friendly haunts and fight shy of the 'must have everything' kind of shop. With the possible introduction of another LARGE retail outlet (non-food) Liphook has changed, and will change for ever. Building lots of low cost housing (i know this is needed too) for the young will only increase the demand for larger chain stores. Then Liphook will look like every other town in England - where will our uniqueness be then! I can see an image of larger stores (DIY, Garden Centres etc) wanting to build along side, as the A3 road improvement will make it an easier place to stop. Is that what we all want!! Building of any housing anywhere in Liphook at present seems 'wrong' - but building will happen and large garden plots are already being sliced up, old grand houses sold off in 'bits' and fields are being kept for the sold purpose of future development. Its a fact!. It would make a nice idea if young people were given a plot of ground to buy- and built their own houses using a self help team (of other buyers) because building a home is much cheaper than buying from a developer!!

Re: Retirement Village plans - Anne (11th Apr 2007 - 17:23:26) Still talks go on regarding the remaining eyesore of the OSU site to no avail. Surely if a decision could be agreed the whole area would look better.Several ideas have been discussed-how about a Bowling Alley to include areas of pool tables,table tennis internet cafe and the like. I realise that the youth have got football and cricket etc. but not all of the youth like those sports. It would be a place where families could go together and take part as well. A Bowling Alley with several things included could provide employment and keep people within the village thus helping the carbon levels. This idea works very well in a similar area that we visit on holiday in Malvern,Worcestershire. Whilst on the subject of sports many of the older residents have said that years ago fund raising was started towards a swimming pool which never transpired. Does anyone know where the money went to or is it invested somewhere to use towards something for our Youth of today??

Reply to THIS thread
Talkback Home