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Building of Retirement homes in Liphook - Heather (11th Dec 2006 - 13:51:45) Someone raised the question in a previous thread about just how much new sheltered accommodation for the elderly is required in Liphook, bearing in mind that building homes for the elderly has been proposed both on the St George's hospital site and the OSU site. No one seems to know the answer to the question, but building homes for the elderly must be a lucrative business as another plan is now being submitted to pull down two houses at the lower end of Tower Road (next to Hanover Court) and build 27 apartments providing private sheltered accommodation for the elderly . This follows an earlier refusal of an application to build 33 apartments on the site. Nex Communications have sent a letter to local residents on behalf of their clients McCarthy & Stone. The letter states that their client has "worked with Council Officers to resolve affordable housing and open space contributions and has revised the scheme to reduce the impact on neighbouring properties and the area generally." There will be 15 car park spaces. The "impact on neighbouring properties" may only be of interest to a few residents of the Tower Road area, but the wider implications and overall effect of building so many homes for the elderly should be of interest to all. If Liphook is to become little more than a dormitory for comfortably off London commuters and a retirement village for their elderly parents, where will its spirit go? The social fabric that has held our community (and others like it) together for centuries is being broken up by planners who probably have university degrees and know the text book theories but have no common sense or true local knowledge. There are so many examples out there of towns and villages that have no heart because of past lack of understanding on the part of planners of how communities work that you'd hope by now that they would have learnt a lesson. How about some affordable homes for young couples and local workers? How many 20-somethings do you know who have been born and bred in Liphook who can afford to rent, let alone buy a house here? Many young people have lived here all their lives and feel they belong and want to contribute and take part in local life but they are driven away, both from the village and from family support. Young people working in local businesses or schools have little chance of finding a place to live in Liphook. Of course we need some homes for our elderly residents, they are a valuable and respected part of our society, (if we're lucky, we all be old one day!), but to maintain its famous community spirit, Liphook needs a balance of accommodation for all ages, and the balance at present looks like it is tipping very heavily to one side.

Re: Building of Retirement homes in Liphook - Mike Grimes (12th Dec 2006 - 00:54:27) I agree with all you say about retirement housing, despite my age. I have to contend with the populist view about "affordable housing" - it's bollocks. What, exactly, is affordable housing? or, more importantly, what is it when the owner comes to sell it? If it has to be sold as "affordable" to the next owner then it hasn't helped the first owner get on the property ladder at all. If not, then (whoopee) a windfall for the first owner, but it is "market value" housing now. The only way to achieve affordable housing is to :- a) Build enough dwellings to house all those in the country or b) Reduce the population or c) Both Anything else is a fudge. This may mean that some green belt has to go (or some people) Your choice! Meanwhile, net immigration last year may have been 500,000 (mainly from Poland) - next year Bulgaria ascend to the EU. Difficult choices but which do you want?

Re: Building of Retirement homes in Liphook - Chris (12th Dec 2006 - 04:28:39) The answer possibly lies in the fact that it is usually easier to get planning permission to build nursing homes and retirement accomodation than so-called "ordinary" housing.

Re: Building of Retirement homes in Liphook - mammal (12th Dec 2006 - 07:30:11) The balance sweetheart is tipping towards the fat cats. I refer you to my comment with regards to the Royal Surrey. Wake up and smell the money. It pains me to say this, but what a miserable greedy little place this country is becoming or is it me. And whilst on the subject of fat cats does anybody have any experiences they would like to share with me regarding Greenbanks homes ltd and in particular a certain Mr Simon Parris (director) any cooments would be most welcome.

Re: Building of Retirement homes in Liphook - Paul Robinson (12th Dec 2006 - 08:43:46) Speaking as one for whom the retirement home beckons I do not have a problem with the number of planning applications that are pending for the town. It should be noted that with the falling birthrate and new medical breakthoughs that improve the health of the elderly the demographic shift will be to an ageing population. Senior citizens are a vital part of our community. Retirement allows them the time to get involved with societies, community care and charities which, quite frankly, would be lost without their vital input. We also have a thriving University of the Third Age. Those that choose not to retire can still be found working in offices and shops in the town especially in Sainsburys who, along with Tescos were quick to appreciate the benefits that an experienced and dedicated member of staff can bring to the business. Environmentally speaking retirement homes use less energy to heat and light than one time family homes with just one occupant. Paul Robinson

Re: Building of Retirement homes in Liphook - Eneida Nelson (12th Dec 2006 - 09:56:31) Heather, How many young people anywhere in the whole of the South of England can afford to buy a house in the attractive villages/small towns where they were born? I think you will find the answer is hardly any, unless they have rich mummies and daddies. But surely the problem is not so much lack of affordable housing, but a lack of jobs that pay enough so they can afford the houses that are available.....so it's economic necessity that drives them away, not developers!! Of course, they can always work in London and become one of the much maligned 'commuters in suits' ;) Eneida

Re: Building of Retirement homes in Liphook - Dick (12th Dec 2006 - 21:54:24) It's because we are all greedy sods..... How many of you have at some time sold your house ? We get 3 maybe 4 estate agents to value the property and then go with the one who will get you the most for it. No longer affordable housing. How many of us, at some time have had estimates for building work, removals or to have a fence erected to name but a few things, and then gone with the cheapest estimate because we think we will save money. Then the contractors who do the work are either bloody useless or the men are on such low wages, they cut corners so they can get to the next job. Is that affordable in the long term ? How many of us shop at places like Primark... because it's cheaper than say M & S. Affordable clothing or support of sweat shops ? And how many of us care. The only solution as far as i can see is to build more council houses and keep the rents affordable. Now that's affordable housing !"!!

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