HHRA Update 11 August 2026
Bargate Homes
Having read the Inspector’s decision dismissing Bargate’s appeal carefully, we felt increasingly cautious about how long it might be before Bargate could return. We asked our councillors to check with the planning officers at FBC how soon Bargate could come back and how different the scheme would have to be. The following information was received from the Team Leader (Development Management) yesterday:
Whilst the Inspector found that the proposal would result in harm to the character and appearance of the local landscape, she also concluded that the substantial housing benefits, including the provision of affordable housing, were sufficient to outweigh that landscape harm.
The appeal was ultimately dismissed because the Inspector was not satisfied that the proposed self-build and custom-build housing requirement, required by Local Plan Policy HP9, would be secured in a legally robust manner. The Inspector concluded that this requirement should be secured through a planning obligation rather than by planning condition and found that there was insufficient certainty that the self-build plots would be delivered as required.
In response to the specific questions raised [by HHRA] there is nothing to prevent the applicant from submitting a further planning application for the site. The Inspector's decision indicates that the principal issue preventing approval was the mechanism used to secure the self-build/custom-build provision. It is therefore likely that a revised application will be submitted seeking to address this matter through an appropriate legal agreement.
Furthermore, there is no prescribed waiting period before a new application can be submitted, and a revised proposal could be submitted at any time should the applicant decide to proceed.
I am sorry to be the bearer of such depressing news.
Osborne View
One of our members was walking past the Osborne View the other evening and saw two teenagers climbing up the ladder of the tall crane. Please – if you see any such thing, ring 999 (if they believe it should be downgraded to 101 they can decide that) and, if possible, take a photo. Do not in any way put yourself at risk.
Needless to say, I have informed Turvey Construction and suggested that access routes need to be reviewed. They do of course have a timelapse camera and I hope that can be of some use to them, at least in seeing where the intruders entered the site.
Voluntary Car Service
You may have made use of the excellent Voluntary Car Service (included on our website www.hhra.org.uk Local Information Transport) for medical appointments – the telephone number is 07832 330308. They are currently very short of people to answer the phone and would be very glad to have a few more offers to do that. You don’t have to sit at home – there is a voicemail service which you can pick up and respond to. If you feel you could help with this excellent service do ring the number above and give your details, leaving a message if necessary.
Anti social speeding
One of our members has shared this email from Councillor Pal Hayre:
Thank you for contacting me regarding anti-social speeding.
This is, unfortunately, a concern right across the Borough and is an issue that I have been actively involved in for a considerable time. I have previously submitted motions to the Council calling for further action on speeding, and I am pleased that we are now starting to see progress.
I have written to the local Police Inspector and to Donna Jones, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), about these concerns. The PCC has agreed to provide funding for additional speed cameras, which is a very positive step forward.
Fareham Borough Council is currently awaiting delivery of the cameras and, once received, they will be allocated and deployed to appropriate locations where they can have the greatest impact. In the meantime, if you witness incidents of anti-social speeding, I would encourage you to report them via 101. Every report helps to build a picture of problem areas, creating a record of hotspots that can influence police patrols and enforcement activity.
Incidentally – we have not had an explanation as to why the CCTV cameras in Hove To (HHSC) car park have been removed.
HCC Consultation
You may wish to respond to this consultation from HCC about their efforts to manage more effectively the digging up and closure of roads by different utility companies. Those who were at our July meeting will recall Cllr Steve Forster mentioning it. Consultation is open until 11 September.
Cliff Road overnight parking by camper vans
We are very grateful to one of our members who is pursuing this issue very actively in conjunction with HHRA: as you know, HHRA has raised it many times with our councillors. A reminder of the respective responsibilities of the two councils:
· FBC is responsible for car park parking (eg Salterns, Monks Hill, Hove To and Meon Shore)
· HCC is responsible for road parking eg Cliff Road
· FBC environmental health is responsible for investigating waste being dumped: do please report any such examples, with photographs and licence plate details, to ehs@fareham.gov.uk
Views have been gathered from those in the nearby roads and sent to the councillors. The following was sent from Cllr Pal Hayre last week:
It is clear from the responses received that there is a consistent view amongst local residents regarding the ongoing issue of vans and motorhomes parking overnight on Cliff Road without the facilities normally associated with a designated motorhome site.
I would also like to thank you for sharing the example from Barton on Sea. This approach has already been suggested to Hampshire Highways, and I am currently awaiting their response.
In answer to your question regarding my opinion on a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), I absolutely agree that Cliff Road requires one. Given the volume of complaints received over a considerable period of time, I believe it is a necessary measure to help address the concerns being raised by residents.
I have been working on this matter for a long time often with a negative response from Highways but remain committed to finding a practical and effective solution. My aim is to achieve an outcome that resolves the issue rather than simply moving the problem elsewhere along the coastline or into neighbouring roads. Any measures introduced need to be proportionate, enforceable and sustainable in the long term.
Please be assured that I am actively working with both Hampshire County Council and Fareham Borough Council to identify a suitable solution. While progress can sometimes be slower than we would all like, I remain determined to secure an outcome that addresses residents' concerns whilst avoiding unintended consequences elsewhere.
New members and website
We are very pleased to welcome a number of new members who have joined in recent weeks. It is timely to remind you of the wealth of information available on our website at www.hhra.org.uk
Next members’ meeting
A reminder that our next members’ meeting will be on Monday 5 October 7.30pm at the Catholic church hall in Bells Lane. Our speaker will be Paul Edwards, project manager for the Osborne View rebuild.
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