Havant Borough Local Plan - Decision

September’s Havant Borough Council Meeting approved the Local Plan to 2037 (HBLP): 27 For; 2 Against namely Hayling Councillors Clare Satchwell and Joanne Thomas. Those gravely concerned about the unsuitability of the housing developments allocated to Hayling, appreciate the brave stand taken by these two Councillors. HIRA’s full Deputation is available on HBC’s website, HIRA’s website www.haylingresidentsassociation.co.uk Latest News. Below are a few of the key points.

HBLP does not satisfy the economic, environmental and social requirements of the NPPF’s “sustainable development”. Where is the employment for the majority of those 1000+ new home occupiers without at least 50% needing to commute off Island? HBC’s Hayling Regeneration plans don’t provide this solution. Regarding the A3023, the Hayling Transport Assessment (HITA) 2020 failed to resolve 2 fundamental issues for that road’s security and emergency access: the integrity of the flood mitigation sites; proper routine access for emergency vehicles without using the Billy Trail – itself a long-standing major attraction as pedestrian, cycling and horse-riding route. A robust transport system also needs the Government-heralded safe cycling provision. The HITA’s roundabouts and traffic lights do not solve these shortfalls.

So-called ‘nutrient neutrality’ proposals raise more questions than they solve. Decades of stringent monitoring and changed farming practices have radically reduced farms’ nitrate discharges. Yet building, household and motorized transport produce nutrient rich wastewater and run-off that more quickly enters our harbours – the very reason for exploring nutrient neutrality solutions. Traditional, non-intensively managed Warblington Farm, proposed as a “nature reserve” for nitrate mitigation is already owned by HBC and the tenant dairy farmer will continue to graze his small herd. Can this site, plus the proposed distant IOW nature reserve, realistically off-set the nitrates caused by the borough’s extensive new house-building on wildlife corridors and non-intensively farmed green spaces?

To meet Government targets new homes should provide: solar panels; individual car charging points; a real means of restricting occupiers’ water use. HBC’s expert Ricardo Review (15-6-20) states that new housing developments’ significant volumes of wastewater discharge “.. is leading to continued and increased inputs of nitrogen and phosphorous into the wastewater treatment system and contributing via direct runoff..” in Budds Farm’s catchment area. New homes’ impact, plus other existing factors, on Budds Farm efficiency and ability to successfully manage nitrogen, could be exceeded somewhere between 2030 and 2036. Despite residents’ pressure for radical improvements by Southern Water to Budds Farm’s Wastewater Management, Hayling’s coastal seawater frequently contains high, unsafe faecal proportions. Still no sign of change.

For information about HIRA’s October Meeting: Staying Safe from Cyber-Crime, please contact us either via our Drop Boxes or on hello@haylingresidentsassociation.co.uk www.haylingresidentsassociation.co.uk