HHRA Update 21 July 2025

Osborne View

Good news and bad news, but first of all a warning about a very large delivery at about 08.00 tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.  A 35 ton machine will need to be parked in Old Street to unload, then brought across the road down Giblet Ore past numbers 85 – 89 Hill Head Road.  We are advised that ‘this will have some effect on getting in and out of Old Street for an hour or so from 8’. 

The bad news is that Hall & Woodhouse have put in their application for a premises licence. The application is as follows:

The supply of alcohol on and off the premises from 07.00 to 00.00 Sunday to Thursday and until 01.00 on Friday and Saturday

Late night refreshments for a further 30 minutes daily

Regulated entertainment (films, live and recorded music) until midnight daily.

Extended hours will apply on New Year’s Eve

Comments must be submitted to licensingofficers@fareham.gov.uk no later than Tuesday 5 August 2025.  The link to the application is https://publicnoticeportal.uk/notice/alcohol-and-licensing/6876502f1eef9e7d8f010921 

It is suggested by some that the previous licence was much the same, although most nights the old Osborne View closed at 11pm.   We are trying to check that.  However, as one of our members has observed, the new Osborne View is going to be very different from the old one in terms of design and, quite possibly, clientele.

Much as we may want the Osborne View back and running, everyone I have spoken to is appalled at the length of the proposed opening hours.  It is in a residential area, both the pub and the car park are very close to their neighbours, it faces over the sea which means sound travels far more than inland (we hear the music from both Cowes week and the IoW Festival) and, fundamentally Hill Head is not an area that rocks until the small hours each night.

If you feel strongly about this, please make sure you respond by 5 August.  You may also wish to make sure our councillors know your views: kmandry@fareham.gov.uk and sdugan@fareham.gov.uk   HHRA will be submitting comments, but we only count as a single comment and many more will be needed, please.

The better news is that work is now well underway again on the site and there will be many deliveries in the coming week – including the one mentioned at the start of this Update!

It is perhaps a good time to remind you that Breezes café remains open in the midst of all this activity and will be delighted to see you.

Cockle pickers

One of our members wrote in some frustration to FBC at the sight of yet more cockle pickers on the foreshore below Cliff Road and asked if there was any point in still reporting it. Wendy Shakesperare from the Environmental Health department (wshakespeare@fareham.gov.uk) replied: Yes, it is still worth reporting as I can factor this into targeted low tide visits and forward the information to GLAA/ Police/ SIFCA as well.

Southern Water

We still have the road closure and tankers with us, but at least the water is declared clean. Councillor Pal Hayre posted on her Facebook page the following comments after visiting the Southern Water open day last week:

Yesterday, Jacqueline [Needham] and I attended the Southern Water engagement event held at Wallington Village Hall.

While the event was informative in many respects with staff on hand offering advice, demonstrating elements of the water treatment process, and outlining future investment plans we were disappointed by the lack of senior professionals present who could speak authoritatively on key issues. In particular, there was little opportunity to raise concerns around sewage infrastructure, or to hold Southern Water to account regarding their role in assessing new development proposals.

Southern Water continues to advise developers that there is sufficient capacity to support new housing, yet we know from experience that the existing infrastructure tells a different story. Much of the pipework is outdated, and Peel Common Wastewater Treatment Works is already under considerable strain. With many more developments in the pipeline, the current system is simply not fit for purpose and the pace of replacement or upgrade is not keeping up with demand.

We will shortly be visiting Peel Common to understand how the recently announced £106.5 million investment will directly benefit our residents. In addition, we have requested that Southern Water arrange a future meeting with residents to discuss the very real challenges being faced in our communities at a time that is accessible for those who work during the day.

Furthermore, we will be attending a scheduled meeting with Southern Water in September, where we intend to raise your concerns directly and seek clarity on the steps being taken to address them.

It is encouraging to see Southern Water beginning to engage more actively with residents, particularly given that they are a monopoly provider in our area. However, engagement must be accompanied by accountability and tangible action.

If you attended the event yesterday, we would welcome your feedback. Were your concerns addressed? Did you feel your voice was heard? phayre@fareham.gov.uk and jneedham@fareham.gov.uk

Pothole fixing Bells Lane

This will be undertaken on Bells Lane between lamp column 7 (?) and Mancroft Avenue between 09.30 and 15.00 on Wednesday 23 July.  The notice states that the road will be closed.

Junction 10 closures

I have had the following notification from HCC Highways:

We are making good progress at Broadway Roundabout as part of the ongoing M27 Junction 10 improvement works, which support the development of Welborne Garden Village near Fareham.

To carry out essential works that will connect the new road layout to the existing network, we need to implement 24-hour lane closures over a 26-day period on a 200 metre section of the A32 Wickham Road.  This will take place from 11 August at 7am to 5 September 2025 at 7pm. This includes the August Bank Holiday weekend. 

The works will involve alternating closures of the northbound and southbound lanes enabling traffic to pass in one direction at all times. We expect journeys to take longer during this time, so please allow extra time for travel.  

Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Devolution

It is reported that the plans for the creation of a Strategic Authority incorporating all ’top tier’ local authorities, with an elected mayor, have been approved by government and the mayoral elections will take place in May 2026. My summary document seeking to explain all this is attached (again).

Local Government Re-organisation

This is the plan to create unitary authorities to replace the current ‘two tier’ arrangements in Hampshire.  The unitary model already exists in Portsmouth, Southampton and IoW.  You may remember that we were notified of a period of consultation on plans put forward by Portsmouth, Southampton and ten of the eleven Hampshire Districts: https://ourplaceourfuture.commonplace.is/   The closing date for comments via that link is 27 July.

Fareham have also issued a supplementary consultation regarding the western wards and whether there should be any change in whether they continue to look east to Fareham or west as part of whatever happens to Eastleigh:

Let's Keep Fareham Together? https://share.google/ByjQTgJ6tjiqBfgt4  Closes 8 August

However….. Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council have just agreed an alternative option and consultation on that has been launched today, with a closing date of 17 August.  Final proposals have to be submitted to government by 26 September.

This is the link to the consultation document, with a further link to an informative video below.

https://www.hants.gov.uk/lgr 

https://documents.hants.gov.uk/aboutthecouncil/lgr-briefing-july-accessible.pdf 

Consultation on Holly Hill refurbishment

Although it is outside our patch, we know many people enjoy visiting Holly Hill:

Holly Hill Rediscovered https://share.google/plGT0Z0Z6dKfKwUA4  Closes 15 August