HHRA Update 24 September 2025

Members’ meeting 7.30pm Monday 6 October Catholic church hall Bells Lane

Do join us at this meeting with Inspector Rob Kearley, Sergeant Joanne Jones and PCSO Kiera Day: Inspector Kearley will give us an update on Policing Today, but the prime purpose is for us to have a conversation with our police officers about matters of concern and interest in this area.  Councillors Kay Mandry and Steve Dugan will also be present so will provide updates on council issues.

Dogs not allowed on Cliff Road beach 1 October to 31 March

The Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which applies to the beach in front of the Cliff Road beach huts comes into force on 1 October and dogs are not allowed on the beach: this is to protect the overwintering birds who come from colder climes and feed in this area.  Do take notice of this as the fine is £100.

Conversely, dogs are allowed on the beach Salterns to Monks Hill from 30 September.

We have sent a detailed report to Fareham Borough council pointing out the lack of consistency, lack of clarity in signage and the unhelpful approach to enforcement. We have pressed for a fundamental review of the situation along the Hill Head sea front.  We are advised that the current PSPO will need to be reviewed early in 2026 and that any proposals arising from that will be the subject of public consultation (as was the current PSPO, though I know not many people noticed that!)  We will do all we can to ensure HHRA is involved in the review and will alert you when any proposals come out for consultation.

Local Government Re-organisation

By the end of this week, proposals have to be submitted to central government about creating ‘single tier’ local authorities to replace our current two tier districts and county.  At the time of writing it seems likely that two different proposals will go in:

·        Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council are suggesting three mainland councils plus the Isle of Wight separately.  The three mainland councils are

o   South East (Portsmouth, Havant, Fareham and Gosport);

o   West (Southampton, Eastleigh, New Forest and Test Valley);

o   Mid-North (Winchester, East Hampshire, Basingstoke, Hart and Rushmoor)

·        The other group includes ten councils who are proposing four mainland councils and the Isle of Wight separately.  The ten councils supporting this proposal are: Southampton, Eastleigh, New Forest, Winchester, Test Valley, Basingstoke, Hart, Rushmoor, Havant, Fareham, Isle of Wight.  Portsmouth is half in and half out of this group (fully involved in the proposals in the report, but declining to put its leader’s signature below its logo, because it would very much like to remain as it is) and Gosport has turned its back on the whole process and will have nothing to do with it.  The four mainland councils proposed by this group are:

o   South East (Portsmouth, Havant, Fareham and Gosport, plus taking in a little of East Hampshire up to Waterlooville)

o   South West (Southampton, Eastleigh, New Forest – though a sub option puts New Forest in with Mid Hampshire)

o   Mid (Test Valley, Winchester, East Hampshire)

o   North (Basingstoke, Hart and Rushmoor)

Should you wish to read the (very long) reports let me know and I will point you in the right direction.  However, you may well wish to wait and see what emerges in due course!

Devolution

This is the separate process to have more powers devolved from central government at local level.  An elected mayor will be central to this. These proposals are going forward and the May 2026 elections will include the mayoral election.

Road Closure signage, Osborne View

We know how frustrating the signs have been warning of the road closure on Hill Head Road, between Solent Road and Old Street. The position of the initial signs on Crofton Lane and the subsequent diversion down Old Street means that people have found it difficult to access the lower part of Crofton Lane, Hill Head Road up to Solent Road and all roads turning off them.

Councillor Pal Hayre and Turvey Construction have both asked Hampshire Highways to re-position and possibly re-word the signs, with the sadly customary response – ie none.

However, the good news is that this phase of the Osborne View work is now complete and the road should be fully open tomorrow, Thursday.

Pavement opposite Haven House

The pavement opposite Haven House remains in a dreadful state, with additional problems as barriers are blown across the road by high winds. Councillor Pal Hayre has tried to spur Hampshire Highways into action, to no avail.  We have pointed out that this has been a sorry way for HCC to present itself for four months throughout the summer.

Daedalus Waterfront and Haslar

Some of you will remember the very interesting presentation we had in 2023 about the development plan for the Daedalus site.  Daedalus Waterfront have just launched a new website with updates, following further recent planning approvals by Gosport Borough Council – do take a look https://daedaluswaterfront.co.uk/ 

Should you wish to explore another of our heritage military sites, you might wish to take advantage of an open day 10 till 3 on Saturday 11 October at ‘Royal Haslar Waterfront Village’.  Having visited last Saturday as part of the Heritage Open Days, I do recommend a visit (and there are now opportunities for tea and cake on site….).

‘Priority Swimming Area’

Some of our members were disconcerted this week while they were swimming in front of the Cliff Road beach huts and a man on a blade surfboard came past, close in and fast. They asked him to observe the ‘Priority Swimming Area’ signs which apply the length of the promenade: he maintained there was no such requirement, no signs and he was able to surf where he wanted – and promptly came in more closely. Please be assured there are three signs: at the HH Sailing Club car park access to the promenade, at the last steps leading up to Cliff Road and at the bottom of the slope at Giblet Ore.  All are very clear.