Winchester City Borough Council North Whiteley Development Forum Meeting

Apologies were noted as above.

There were no disclosures of interest made.

RESOLVED: 

That Councillor Small be appointed vice-chairperson for the 2022/23 municipal year.

The chairperson advised that she noted that several members were concerned that the forum meetings were not taking place in person. She advised that the cabinet had considered the issues raised by this forum and others and had agreed that meetings for 2022/23 should continue to be held virtually. These arrangements would be revisited for the 2023/24 municipal year.

Mr Allen addressed the meeting on two points regarding Bluebell Way. Mr Allen felt that a lack of effective traffic calming measures was causing numerous issues such as vehicle speeding, vehicle noise nuisance, and general safety concerns. Mr Allen also raised concerns regarding the signage on the local shared cycle/pedestrian paths which he felt did not clearly indicate a shared pedestrian/cycle path.  Mr Alborough from Hampshire County Council (HCC) responded to the points raised by Mr Allen. He advised that HCC appreciated residents' concerns regarding speeding and was now requiring the development consortium to provide an additional traffic calming feature, negotiations were ongoing over this. Regarding the cycle path signage, Mr Alborough confirmed that the signage installed was in line with the national guidance however he would be discussing the issues raised by Mr Allen with the development consortium following this meeting.

A question had been received from a resident of Thyme Avenue which officers read to the meeting. In summary, the question was: "what future preventative measures are being proposed/ put in place and when please to prevent vehicles parking at the beginning of the newly opened part of Whiteley Way after the roundabout next to Tesco’s which leads into the New development being built by Taylor Wimpey.” Mr Alborough from Hampshire County Council (HCC) responded and advised that the road referred to was a private road and so was the responsibility of the development consortium. However, he advised that HCC were in the process of creating a list of roads that would be subject to a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) and that he would suggest adding this road to the TRO to discourage parking on it.

Councillor M Evans advised that several Whiteley residents had contacted him with concerns about a section of Bluebell Way, namely at the Silver Birch Way junction. The concerns related to cars parked on one side of Bluebell Way causing a blind spot when turning right at that junction onto Bluebell Way. Councillor Evans agreed to share further information with Mr Alborough following this meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on the 10 February 2022 be approved and adopted.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the forum could not receive an update on this agenda item. Members of the forum raised several matters which were summarised below. The Service Lead, Built Environment agreed to discuss these matters with the Governance Manager and suggested to provide a written update to members as soon as possible.

1.    That residents from North Whiteley had not yet joined the advisory group.

2.    That residents of Whiteley or Curdridge had not been asked to take part in the consultation.

3.    That the online consultation did not require the postcode of the consultee.

4.    That the online consultation did not prevent multiple entries from the same person.

5.    That a delay in the closing of the consultation would be helpful.

Martin Shefferd, Hampshire County Council provided the forum with a verbal update concerning the latest position regarding both primary and secondary education at North Whiteley. The update covered a range of issues including primary school pupil numbers and the proposed timeline for the build and opening of the secondary school.

Members asked several questions and made comments regarding:

1.    the estimated number of pupils for each school year for September 2022 at Cornerstones primary school

2.    whether a planning application for the secondary school could be submitted earlier

3.    designing the secondary school to be able to cope with extremes in high and low temperatures

4.    allowing ingress and egress to Cornerstone school via the currently locked gates

5.    development plans for the previous school site

6.    understanding the analysis to justify the proposed 2027 opening date for the secondary school   

7.    the governance arrangements for the secondary school.

These points were responded to by Mr Shefferd.

A statement was read out that had been received from Mr Tim Clarke

Headteacher, Cornerstone Church of England Primary School (available here).

Patrick Bingham, Hampshire County Council provided the forum with a verbal update concerning the latest position regarding the M27 Junction 9 and  Parkway roundabout scheme. The update covered a range of issues including:

1.    that overall works were progressing well

2.    that the forecast completion was late September 2022

3.    that an opening event at the Solent Hotel was planned

4.    that resurfacing works would be causing some disruption for motorists and the latest information could be obtained here: https://www.hants.gov.uk/transport/transportschemes/m27junction9

5.    that vehicle restraint system and drainage works were taking place on Whiteley Way

6.    that permissions were being sought for parapet and Southern footway tie-in works

7.    that arrangements for future tree planting works were being discussed.

Members asked several questions and made comments regarding:

1.    the lack of lane and junction markings on the roundabout nearest the Solent Hotel

2.    the timescales for the works to the dual carriageway running between the Tesco store and the Solent Hotel

3.    the operation of the traffic lights on Whiteley Way and the junction with Curdridge Lane

4.    the extension of the cycle route from Junction 9 to Lidl.

These points were responded to by Mr Ingham who undertook to review any unresolved points raised and respond to members following the meeting.

Amanda Morris, Hampshire County Council provided the forum with a presentation concerning the North Whiteley Travel Plan. The presentation  covered a range of issues including:

1.    background of the travel planning team

2.    activity to date at North Whiteley including the myjourney website: https://myjourneyhampshire.com/moving-home/north-whiteley/

3.    activity at Whiteley Primary school and Cornerstone Primary school

4.    plans for a resident’s travel survey

5.    plans for future car clubs

6.    residential travel financial incentive

7.    bus service extension

8.    plans for a future annual update

9.    the Breeze app

10.programme delays.

Members asked several questions and made comments regarding:

1.    details of bus service improvements, extensions and associated timings including Sweethills Crescent

2.    the issues being experienced regarding the installation of both temporary and permanent bus stops and how to resolve

3.    the placement of a bus stop at Kings Corner, Botley

4.    bus services to the Community and Queen Alexandra Hospitals

5.    car clubs and enabling the use of electric vehicles.

These points were responded to by Ms Morris who undertook to review any unresolved points raised with colleagues and respond to members following the meeting.

Following the discussion around bus routes, stops and shelters, the chairperson agreed to discuss matters further with the relevant officers and members.

A statement was read out that had been received from Hampshire County Council Local Bus Team regarding bus services and bus shelters (available here).

Jeff Davis of Tetra Tech provided the forum with a presentation which was available on the council’s website here. The presentation covered a range of issues which included the following.

1.    Highways: Bluebell Way (North), Bluebell Way (Central) and Bluebell Way (Cornerstone Primary School).

2.    Footpath 9.

3.    Off-site Whiteley Way works.

4.    Station Hill - Whiteley Way / Curbridge Way to Whiteley Way.

5.    Housing Delivery.

6.    Open Space delivery.

Hilary Oliver, Implementation Officer, Winchester City Council addressed the forum and referred members to the report, ref NWDF18, available on the council's website here. 

Members asked several questions and made comments regarding;

1.    the off-site Whiteley Way works and details regarding works to R1A

2.    the latest timeline for the signing of the Open Space agreement

3.    the latest timeline for the construction of the section of the footpath from Cornerstone Primary school

4.    an update on the litter clearance across the site

5.    the latest timeline for the opening of the play areas.

These points were responded to by Mr Davis and Ms Oliver who undertook to review any unresolved points raised and respond to members following the meeting.

Members put forward the following items for future agenda items:

1.    governance update

2.    medical facilities and a G.P update

3.    bus service update

4.    the running of the proposed community centre

5.    residents' experiences of resolving local issues.

The meetings for the rest of the year were noted as follows:

·       14 Nov 2022 6.00 pm

·       16 Feb 2023 6.00 pm