Winchester City Borough Council West of Waterlooville Forum Meeting

In respect of item 4 below, Councillor Read and Councillor Hughes announced that due to their roles as Members of the Planning Committee at Winchester City Council and Havant Borough Council respectively, they would listen to the presentation but would not take part in any discussions or questions thereon as they could be called upon to take part on the Joint West of Waterlooville MDA Planning Committee where the planning application would be considered.

Arising from the minutes of the previous meeting, several points were raised as follows:

·         Open Space agreement at Wellington Park – Councillor Hughes (in his capacity as Havant Borough Councillor) advised that the process of adoption was due to commence shortly.

·         The split in policing of the development – Councillor Crichton reported that the response received from the Police Crime Commissioner was that there was no intention to change the policing currently in place and it was noted that this was an ongoing issue as the development increased. The Chairperson advised that she would progress this matter further.

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 8 July 2021, be approved and adopted.

No members of the public were present to make representations.

The Chairperson invited Rebecca Fenn-Tripp, Chris Hebden and Steve Houkes of Bloor Homes and the project team to the meeting who provided a presentation from Bloor Homes regarding the proposals for Berewood on phases 3b and 5a of the West of Waterlooville development, which also set out the context of the project background and the plans to update stakeholders and the community as the proposals progressed. It was noted that, subject to the planning process, it was proposed that works would commence on site during Spring 2022.

The Forum raised various questions including details of the dissemination of the community newsletter, the inclusion of the breakdown of house size proposals in community correspondence and access roads onto the development for these phases which were responded to by relevant officers and representatives from Bloor Homes.

The Chairperson thanked the representatives of Bloor Homes and the project team for attending the meeting and for their informative presentation.

            RESOLVED:

                        That the presentation be received and noted.

Members of the Forum received a verbal update from Jenni Upstill (Grainger) and Katie Bone (Havant Borough Council) regarding the latest community work that had been carried out and reference was made to the following points:

Grainger

·         Travel and Community survey results – as expected, the majority travel by car. Lots of cyclists, better communication around cycle routes required and work was being carried out with Newlands Parish Council. Cycle vouchers and bus passes were offered as an incentive for completing the survey.

Key issues:

·         Parking

-          Yellow lines painted on Grainger Street and Newlands Avenue

-          Adoption will help with enforcement

-          Car park delivered as part of Town Park Phase 2

-          Connecting Marrelsmoor Avenue and Newlands Avenue would result in more options for traffic

·         Traffic calming

-          Temporary speed bumps installed along construction routes in Houghton Avenue, Newlands Avenue and Marrelsmoor Avenue

-          Options being investigated with Hampshire County Council e.g. shorter raised table top on Grainger Street

-          Over time it was anticipated that traffic flow would improve

·         Timescales

-          Improvements to communication on timescales via newsletters and social media

-          Communication had improved post-covid but there were still some issues e.g. waiting for planning application approval

·         Wildlife Walk held on Tuesday, 24 August - Ecologist-led walk around the River Wallington area for residents.

·         Great Big Green Week in September – Grainger partnered with Havant Climate Alliance. Activities included Park Yoga, Wildlife Walks for families and adults, wreath making and candle making. Wildlife Trust ran meadow sweeps and pond dipping. Wildflower seeds sent to every household. Successful event - low turnout due to weather for some activities but a positive response from residents and local community.

·         Community Planters ran a sunflower competition for kids, winning categories – biggest, tallest and happiest. Jenni Upstill judged the entries; Newlands Parish Council provided gardening vouchers as prizes.

·         Employment and skills – partnered with Oaklands and Cowplain Schools to support careers programme via Solent LEP.

·         Portsmouth Bee Keeping Society moved into a compound on site until Southern Allotments are ready. Beekeepers on site have reported success with transporting new queens to the Berewood hives, so hopefully honey will be plentiful next year!

·         Survey undertaken on Proxima Pond – non-native carp present. Next stage would be draining and landscaping and it was anticipated that work would take place in Spring 2022, with the potential to re-introduce native species of fish at a later date.

·         Working with Proxima Park on the green space improvements in the area – investigating the option for a swift tower.

·         Memorial bench for local resident Anthony Bessey had been installed in Newlands Meadow where he would fly his pet hawk ‘Flash’. Interpretation boards to also be installed explaining raptor boxes.

·         Partnering with Wildlife Trust on the community rewilding projects - Berewood Primary School are looking to re-wild part of their site next year.

Events:

·         Halloween crafting sessions for kids took place in the Community Hall on Saturday, 30 October.

·         Fireworks display for residents in Town Park on Wednesday, 3 November.

·         Self-defence classes for women are due to be held on 15November and 29 November.

·         Christmas crafts with Wildlife Trust on Sunday, 5 December for all ages.

·         Berewood Motor Club set up by residents, meet on the third Sunday of every month, first meeting due to take place on Sunday 21 November.

·         Royal Mail have confirmed location for an additional post box to be installed – this will be situated on the corner of Rowe Rise/Newlands Avenue. Date to be confirmed but this was expected before the end of the year.

·         Bins replaced on Town Park. Despite moving the bin closer, issues with litter still remained around the skate park area.

Havant Borough Council

·         Further litter picking events were held across the development at the end of the summer. These were well attended and funding was approved so that Newlands Parish Council have their own litter picking equipment which was taking place at the community building. The aim was to set up a regular group or a drop in/drop out session for people to use as and when they could. 

·         Work with the Community Plan continues, several meetings had taken place with three residents committed to supporting the plan. Residents’ involvement was still being sought, particularly from the Taylor Wimpey side of the development. Upcoming events would be used as engagement opportunities, to speak to residents about the plan and keep them informed. Councillor Brook advised that she was happy to support Katie Bone with this. A leaflet was produced to promote the plan and has been distributed across various platforms. 

·         Partnership working – Katie reported that she had been approached by a number of businesses and churches wishing to get involved with serving and supporting the West of Waterlooville community and this was being progressed.

·         Issues arising on the development regarding vandalism or theft in the area which had been directed to 101, also there had been complaints from a number of Wellington Park residents about being excluded from the fireworks event.

In response, Jenni Upstill advised that this decision had been taken as town park was incomplete and there were no facilities in place to cope should a significant number of people attend, if this was an ‘open’ event. However, going forward it was proposed that this event could continue in perpetuity once the second half of town park had been completed. Initially for the first year, it was proposed to be an event for Grainger residents who had purchased on the Berewood site in order to control capacity and manage safety concerns.

Members of the Forum raised various matters regarding ongoing issues with Hambledon Road for discussion with Hampshire Highways, the outstanding re-appointment to the role of Community Implementation Officer, the deed of variation and an update on the s.106 agreement, which were responded to by relevant officers.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the verbal updates be received and noted; and

2.    That any further updates on the points raised above, be passed onto Forum Members in due course.

Grainger

Jenni Upstill (Grainger) provided an update on the infrastructure at the site and made reference to the following points:

Infrastructure:

·         Western link road (Marrelsmoor Avenue) moved forward to accommodate the school, expected to be completed in Spring 2024 with the school due to open in September 2024.

·         Delays still occurring due to Brexit and playing catch-up from Covid.

·         Stakes Hill roundabout – no further update. Awaiting Hampshire County Council (HCC) decision.

·         Southern Access junction planning application to be submitted before the end of the year. Plans shared with the Purbrook community via Purbrook Residents’ Association Newsletter. Expect work to commence September 2022.

·         Liaising with HCC on future road adoption – main spine roads: Grainger Street, Houghton Avenue and Newlands Avenue in the final stages which was expected by the end of 2022.

·         Yellow lines installed on Newlands Avenue with positive feedback

·         Paths through Nature Reserve damaged due to surface water has been patched but a more permanent solution was being introduced.

·         Town Park Phase 2 – work commenced on preparing land for the cricket pitch (not part of current application, works already approved)

Arising out of questions from the Forum, the following issues were discussed:

Hampshire Highways application for the northern bus gateway – Councillor Hughes stated that the views of many of the councillors to this proposal was not to proceed as any benefit from carrying out these works would be negligible.

Aquind Interconnector – Hampshire Highways will not be carrying out any resurfacing works along London Road due to the upheaval of the installation of the Aquind Interconnector.

RESOLVED:

1.            That the verbal report be noted; and

2.            That the following item be added onto the agenda for the next meeting:

(i)            B2150 Issues

Grainger

Jenni Upstill (Grainger) provided an update on the physical developments of the site and made reference to the following points:

Physical Development

·         Planning applications awaiting approval:

-          Sports Pavilion and Town Park Phase 2

-          Footpath diversions

-          Linnet Rise knee rail fencing

·         Health Centre – site has been agreed. Developer finalising/securing funding through NHS.

·         Elm Green (Phase 9) play area was open. Designed with Berewood Primary School pupils who chose a theme featuring boats, as well as a zip wire, slides, swings and areas to climb on.

·         Accessible play equipment has been installed.

·         Positive feedback on River Wallington works. Signage and interpretation boards to be installed. New species spotted – Kingfisher in residence on the western edge.

·         Accessibility consultant has been employed to review design codes and the site going forwards. First stage of the report has been received.

·         Havant Borough Council wishes to proceed with cemetery land. However, a business case for associated drainage costs was required. Access to be confirmed.

·         Proxima Park commencing building the next unit – next to Coopers. More tenants are now in situ. Liaising over environmental requirements.

·         Next land sales expected to market early next year.

·         Local centre design to be reconsidered, next area on the agenda.

RESOLVED:

That the verbal report be noted.