Press Release: 9th November 2010

People from 10 more towns and villages join postcard campaign

Thousands more postcards have had to be printed to meet the demand from villages and towns around the Wickham and North of Fareham area, where between 6,500 and 7,500 homes are planned to be built on Greenfield land. Residents, councillors, amenity societies and environmental organisations in ten towns and villages nearby have rung in to ask for postcards to send to Grant Shapps, Minister for Housing and Local Government. They include Wickham, Knowle, Funtley, Soberton, Gosport, Meonstoke, Denmead, Portchester, Durley and Stubbington.

Last night (8th November), Fareham Borough Council's Executive Committee voted to pass the plans on for full Council approval. Whilst Councillors in wards adjacent to the proposed development (but not on the Executive) spoke passionately against the plan, calling it "vandalism", it was carried unanimously by the ruling group. On 18th November, the full Fareham Borough Council will meet and decide whether to keep the planned development in their 'Core Strategy' for the area. Campaigners hope that if enough people object now the plan can still be turned back.

Campaigners are urging individuals not only to join the postcard campaign, but even more importantly, to act before 15th November by writing a simple letter of objection to Fareham Borough Council. Emails can be sent to planningpolicy@fareham.gov.uk.

Michael Carter, a Wickham Parish Councillor said:

"Localism is now strongly supported by Government and therefore we must make our views known to Fareham Borough Council. So, if you wish to object, please write in or email them."

Caroline Dibden, spokeswoman for the Campaign to Protect Rural England said:

"Some people just can't believe that this is happening and they do not see the need for a new town to be built locally. Others, who may have thought this was a 'done deal' are re-invigorated because they realise there is still time to persuade MPs and Councillors to think again."

CPRE and SHUV, which has 35 member organisations, have asked Fareham Borough Council to qualify where the funding would come from for the required facilities and road improvements to support the town. They've been told that this would only be detailed in an 'Area Action Plan', to be drafted at a later date. The Area Action Plan will not, however, deal with any services that may be adversely affected in Fareham itself by the development.

An online group has been set up to fight the proposals. Email to SHUV-@googlegroups.com. Postcards can be ordered from 01962 779185 or by email at info@cprehampshire.org.uk.

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CPRE/H/203

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Notes to editors

CPRE Hampshire strives to promote the beauty, tranquility and diversity of the countryside of Hampshire by the sustainable use of land and other resources in town and country, and encouraging the biodiversity and well-being of rural communities.

1. CPRE Hampshire has studied Fareham Borough Council's 2009 questionnaire. It recorded responses from residents such as "the use of a Greenfield site north of Fareham is a disgrace", "it will destroy the Fareham area", "there will be no wildlife or woodlands - you are building on them", "why are local politicians not fighting against this?", "strange questions". This questionnaire was not sent to the inhabitants of Wickham and Knowle, two villages most affected by the proposals.

2. Further information and a map showing the area can be seen on p.16 of http://www.fareham.gov.uk/pdf/planning/corestrategy/northsda.pdf. Copyright is held by Fareham Borough Council and Ordnance Survey. OS press office can assist with permission to print on 023 80 792251.

3. Photos and other illustrations available K. Burney, CPRE media officer (contact details below).

4. CPRE South Hampshire Group focuses on protecting the urban green spaces and countryside in the South Hampshire sub-region, particularly in the light of recent changes to planning legislation.

5. Caroline Dibden of CPRE South Hampshire was a founding member and helps lead the SHUV Campaign (South Hampshire's Unheard Voices). SHUV involves 35 different groups from countryside campaigners to urban civic societies, to parish councils, from right across the South Hampshire region, and in particular from the area around the proposed Fareham SDA. Members include the Fareham Society, Knowle Village Residents, Wickham Society, Wickham Parish Council, Fareham Branch SE Hants Green Party, the Portchester Society and Havant Friends of the Earth.

For all media enquiries, please contact:
Keren Burney, media & communications officer, CPRE Hampshire
Tel: 01730 894123   Mobile: 07876 780065
Email: kburney@compege.co.uk

For information on CPRE, please contact:
Anthony McEwen, Director, CPRE Hampshire
Tel: 01962 779185   Mobile: 07717 296025
Email:anthony.mcewen@cprehampshire.org.uk