HHRA Update 5 August

Dear Members

Encampment at Crofton Manor

Many of you will have become aware yesterday of a large number of caravans arriving at Crofton Manor (the land by the Equestrian Centre and car boot sale field, off Titchfield Road).  You may also have picked up information via social media, but for those who have not, this statement from Cllr Joanne Burton, Executive Member for Health and Public Protection was issued yesterday evening:

The community may well be aware of significant disruption in and around Stubbington and Titchfield this evening.  150 – 200 caravans have arrived at Crofton Manor for a pre-planned week long organised Christian Festival taking place with consent of the landowner.  The event will run until Fri/Sat next week [9/10 August] with security on site each day with religious ceremonies along with entertainment.

The main issue has been traffic disruption, the landowner is on scene along with marshals and managers trying to deal with the volume of attendees.

The police are monitoring the situation and the main focus is on managing the disruption to the road network, rather than public disorder.

It is a shame the organisers did not bother to obtain the required event licence/fire safety/traffic management permissions.

I appreciate there may be some localised tension, but hopefully this information will offer some clarity and avoid unhelpful speculation.

I will ensure that the appropriate council officers are made aware tomorrow [Monday] and as Executive Member for Health and Public Protection am happy to hear about any issues to jburton@fareham.gov.uk

A HHRA member was aware of one of the young men in the group mentioning doing tree work.  We would suggest being especially cautious if you receive visits from unofficial traders offering to do tree work, gardening, driveways etc.

Planning Committee to consider the application for 1200 houses on Longfield Avenue P/20/0646/OA

A single issue meeting of FBC’s Planning Committee will be held on Thursday 8 August to consider the application from Hallam Land Management Ltd for 1200 houses and associated infrastructure on Longfield Avenue.  This application was submitted in 2020 and is included in Fareham’s Local Plan.  However, the would-be developer has appealed because no decision has been taken within the agreed period.  FBC have chosen to take it to committee this week because ‘it is necessary for Members to confirm the case that this Council will present to the Planning Inspector’.  The report ‘invites Members to confirm the decision they would have made if they had been able to determine the planning application.  This will then become the Council’s case in respect of the forthcoming appeal’.  The report states that ‘officers have been working collaboratively with the applicant…. However there are financial contributions required to mitigate the impact of the development and some of these contributions have not yet been agreed’.

In simple terms, the planning officer’s recommendation to members is that the application should be granted outline planning permission subject to various conditions.

Sewage spill reported Hill Head

There were reports from Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) that sewage had been discharged onto Hill Head beach at 3.15pm on 1 August (dead low water).   In fact subsequent examination of possible sites found no evidence of sewage and your local swimmers would concur with that.  I am aware that SAS also reported a discharge at the same time in Lee – I have no information about that, other than a number of people reporting unpleasant smells.

Shellfish gathering

Having tried to report large numbers of shellfish gatherers to FBC yesterday evening, I found that the new number we were recently given does not take calls; it does accept text messages but sends a less than helpful response that ‘it will be dealt with once our offices re-open’.  So – total failure.  We have asked our councillors to assist with an effective number, which we will put on the Local Information, Community Safety page of www.hhra.org.uk as soon as we have it.  Meanwhile, I shall revert to the number we were previously given and hope that is the correct one: 07770 227155.

Diving Museum

Happily I am able to end on a really positive note with news of the £800,000 National Lottery funding received by the Diving Museum at Stokes Bay.  Those who came to the HHRA meeting on 24 June to hear Mike O’Meara will recall that he updated us about the major project to improve and extend the museum and he hoped to hear the result of their lottery bid at any moment.  The good news came last week and it is the full £800,000 they bid for – great news!

HHRA Update

Planning matters.     It will not have escaped your notice that planning issues are assuming considerable importance nationally.  On 30 July, a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published, for eight weeks’ consultation: this is the document which provides the principles upon which planning decisions are made, both locally and nationally.  Your committee members, past and present, have well thumbed copies of the previous edition and we shall now get to grips with the new draft – 78 pages and 106 questions! Deadline for comments 24 September 2024. We imagine that Fareham Planning Committee will have a paper on this topic at a forthcoming meeting, setting out the potential implications for the borough and we will feed that back to you as soon as it becomes available.  Meanwhile, we assume Bargate Homes – and others – are doing exactly what we are and trying to work out what the new NPPF would mean.  It is likely that target numbers will change (again) for individual local authorities: on the current numbers, Fareham has a Local Plan which shows how it plans to meet its housing target, though there has been considerable delay in schemes coming to fruition – and that, of course, is more down to developers than to FBC.  But an increase in target numbers would require yet another review of the Local Plan.  Much will unfold over the coming weeks: do respond direct or, if you prefer, send your comments to me so that the committee can take them into account.  We will share our draft response as soon as we can which may help you decide whether to respond yourself.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposed-reforms-to-the-national-planning-policy-framework-and-other-changes-to-the-planning-system/proposed-reforms-to-the-national-planning-policy-framework-and-other-changes-to-the-planning-system

On local planning appeals: the outcome of the Titchfield Festival Theatre appeal is still awaited; the dates are awaited for the appeal against enforcement (by FBC) on AR Banks Ltd for use of the site on Titchfield Road as a haulage yard. On the Crofton Pub - P/23/1008/FP (Inspectorate reference 3343261) the appeal is yet to be decided: final comments are due 7th August.  There are a growing number of comments on the FBC website of papers submitted to the Inspectorate. 

Shellfish pickers.  I know that many local people continue to be greatly concerned about the large scale gathering of shellfish, almost certainly for commercial use, at low tide in the morning and evening of spring tides.  The contact details previously on the HHRA website have been changed and the contacts at FBC are now  ehs@fareham.gov.uk and out of hours phone number 07860 098627.  And a reminder that the police number is 101 and the website is www.hampshire.police.uk.  As we reported in the last Update, on 8 July, police and other agencies were on the Cliff Road beach in the early morning and engaged with the people gathering large quantities of oysters and other shellfish.  Contact was made with cafes where the shellfish are offered for sale and the police have followed up some individuals who refused to provide their names: they have been identified via their car registrations. We are aware this has not deterred the groups so would strongly encourage you to use the contact details above to report future occurrences, if possible giving car registrations.

Irresponsible car racing (aka ‘boy racers’).  On a similar note, many members are aware of ‘boy racers’ in Hoe Down, Salterns and Monks Hill car parks and along Hill Head, Cliff and Meon Roads.  This has been raised on our behalf by our councillors with the FBC Executive Member for Health & Public Protection, who has in turn raised it with the police: their response is that they do not have records of such activities being reported, so strongly encourage anyone becoming aware of this anti social behaviour ringing the police on 101 or reporting it on www.hampshire.police.uk

Consultations FBC is reviewing its anti social behaviour policy - spells out procedures and options available.  Closes 19th August. https://www.fareham.gov.uk/have_your_say/consultation/draftanti-socialbehaviourpolicy

How timely! Do respond.

Defibrillators.  You may have read that a man sadly died after being recovered from the sea off Meon Shore after what appears to have been a heart attack.  It may be useful to be reminded of where the nearest defibrillators are: by the first Meon Shore chalet, next to the toilet block; at Hill Head Sailing Club.  Don’t be worried about accessing a defibrillator – full instructions are given by the emergency services.  (We shall hope that the defibrillator which used to be on the Osborne View wall will be replaced as part of the rebuild but at present it is not there).

Hampshire Open Studios.  On a happier note, the annual Open Studios event will be running from 17 – 26 August.  There are pink brochures in many locations or you can look up the details online via 

the free Hampshire Open Studios app available from the Google Play Store and Apple Store.   Download this onto your mobile phone and you can search by media, date, place, navigate via maps and save all your favourite venues.   More details are on the website https://hampshireopenstudios.org.uk/about.  There are many local artists exhibiting in Hill Head and Stubbington and, as in previous years, David Brims at 25 Knights Bank Road (open every day except 21 and 22 August) will be donating proceeds from sales to a medical charity in Ukraine.

Watercolours of Hill Head.  A few months ago, we were contacted by a gentleman who was working through the contents of his late parents’ house and found paintings by Daisy Doehaerd which he believed were of Hill Head.  Our local historian John Lewthwaite confirmed that indeed they were, one being a view from near Hill Head harbour entrance, possibly standing on the end of the shingle spit looking towards the old cottage. The second is a view over the marsh possibly from the harbour road, looking towards Meon shore and the path up towards the cliffs.

John has kept copies of the pictures for the local archive, but the gentleman has now come back to us and said that if anyone would be willing to frame the original two pictures and display them in a public place, he would be willing to donate them.  I have explained that we are currently rather short of ‘public places’ in Hill Head but if anyone has suggestions and would like to look at copies of the pictures, let me know.

Haven Cottage.  A member recently asked me for news of Haven Cottage (not to be confused with Haven House).  You may remember that this listed building, at one time the warden’s cottage, was sold last year to a local couple who are working through the building, gradually restoring it.  Those who know what they have achieved elsewhere know that they will be aiming for the highest standards and we do wish them well.

Scams. You may have read of a resurgence of the problem which arose last year, with rogue QR codes appearing on car park signs: one of our members had her bank account hacked when she used one of these QR codes in a Portsmouth car park.  The only way to be sure of avoiding that problem is to use a different means of payment.

The usual scams and a few new ones continue to do the rounds eg a text reading ‘Hey dad sorry to have to let you know my phones been stolen.  Using an old phone but the speaker is faulty.  Please text me on xxxxxx’.  Also, the rather surprising email from a friend you would have thought was highly organised, but asking you to buy something on Amazon for them; do not reply. The usual offers from Shein pallets, Oral B and B&Q Makita combo often re-appear.

And I am sure members will be sorry to learn that the HRMC has issued a warrant for my arrest for non payment of taxes unless I make immediate payment of several hundred pounds via my debit card in response to the strongly American voice on the recorded message …..

Cones working party.  Huge thanks to HHRA members Tony, Lucy and Gerald who joined me last month to remove the three traffic cones and the Stop/Go sign stuck for many months in the brambles above the Cliff Road beach huts.  It had proved too complex a challenge for the council so eventually we got our ladders and telescopic garden implements out and Tony and Lucy clambered up and got them down.  Marvellous! 

That just leaves the broken pavement opposite the Haven House entrance to sort out, which we have asked our councillors to pursue as it has been derelict and dangerous (and full of rats) for many months.

Haven House sale completed

Many of you will have received the information below direct from the Titchfield Haven Community Hub trustees, but we know all HHRA members will wish to know that the sale of Haven House is now complete so their email is copied below:

Hampshire County Council has just issued the following press release on the sale of Haven House:

Hampshire County Council has confirmed the sale of Haven House, the former visitor centre for the Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve. The property has been sold to a private local buyer who has expressed an intention to lease the property to a day nursery, part of Hopscotch Nursery Group, which will operate with a focus on the outdoor environment

Councillor Kirsty North, the County Council’s Cabinet Lead for Universal Services, said: “The sale of Haven House will release much needed investment for Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve, helping us to fund improvements and deliver our obligations to this important site. Upgrades are planned to boardwalks, bridges, and bird hides alongside enhancements to the habitats that provide a home to many species. The proposed use of the building by a local nursery provider is positive news, offering childcare spaces in an area that has been identified as needing additional early years capacity, supporting local families, and creating jobs.” 

The sale of Haven House was agreed to address a funding gap in the projected running costs of Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve totalling £1.8 million.

We have understood for some time that this outcome was likely, but we know that everyone who fought so hard to save Haven House as a community resource will be sad to know there is now no possibility of that being achieved.

Titchfield Haven Community Hub – and doubtless many other individuals and organisations – will now be pressing HCC for details of how the income from Haven House and Haven Cottage will be used to improve the nature reserve.  Both HCC and the owner of Hopscotch Nurseries have said they will communicate further and we will of course pass on any further information to you.

It is extraordinary that the HCC press release continues to use the figure of £1.8 million as the target they were seeking to achieve: that included £600,000 for the replacement of the visitor reception and staff facilities in the back yard, whereas we understand the plan is now for HCC to rent their existing facilities in Haven House.  You may recall that THCH offered the space to HCC at a ‘peppercorn’ rent – ie virtually no cost.  They rejected that out of hand, saying they must have a ‘clean break’.

However, the time for pressing the case for THCH is now past.  We would like to offer so many thanks – to those who gave funds to HIWWT so that our bid could be put together, to those who wrote emails and protested in front of the cameras and those who gave interviews, to those who offered donations for the purchase and to all of you for the huge encouragement and warmth you gave to us as we put the bid together and pressed HCC to see sense.

It has been a great pleasure to get to know so many of you and we wish you well.

HHRA has supported the bid by THCH since its inception in early 2023: no-one could have asked for more hard work and expertise than they brought to bear and I know you will all wish to join me in thanking Lynne Murray, Caroline Herbert and David Rodgers.