East Hants & Havant Report 2006

East Hants & Havant District Group

by John Venning

2006/7 has been as busy as ever, in East Hampshire as elsewhere. The threats remain much as they were a year ago and our response to them is as considered and well-informed as ever.

On your behalf, Group members have engaged in the following:

Campaigning

As well as giving evidence to the EiP of the SE Plan and collaborating with SHUV, we made successful objections to a number of development proposals, including those at Catherington Lane, Hartley Mauditt, Sotherington Hop Kiln, Alice Holt Forest and just off Mill Lane, Alton.

Our county-wide campaign against clutter has started to bear fruit. Hampshire County Council (HCC) have developed our ideas with Selborne Parish Councillors to reduce signs in the village radically as part of a scheme to improve pedestrian safety. We have also been working with HCC on a scheme for the Meon valley road, A32 (see newsletter article).

Influencing

We lobbied our MPs to support legislation against land banking, with some modest success and are engaged in briefing our prospective parliamentary candidates. We also asked for their support in opposing the Barker Report, especially the recommendations which would weaken the planning system and threaten Green Belts. We are involved in, and in one case running, Landscape Character and Town Design Statements in three major settlements. We continue to give talks to groups and local councils. We have made a significant input into the future South Downs National Park draft management plan.

Fund-raising

Members turned out in force to a demonstration by astonishing dogs and their trainers and handlers from Canine Partners at Stansted Park, drank much champagne and raised almost as much money as we had hoped but not quite. Our stand at the Alton show brought in some new members and kept us in the eye of the farming community. We look forward to seeing you there on 8 July 2007.

Future plans

Plans for the coming months include a Gardeners' Question Time with Rosemary Alexander, Debs Goodenough, Rosemary Casson and a possible fourth expert at Selborne Village Hall on 4 October and a garden party for new members at Kimpton House (thanks to Susan Napier) on 14 July.