Recycled Sewage in Havant Thicket
HIRA August Article 2022
Southern Water representatives’ July meeting with the public at Havant’s Meridian Centre, part of their “six-week consultation [on its Water for Life proposals]...until 16 August”, was inadequately advertised, yet the implications for Hampshire’s water supply are huge. Buried in its website are July drop-ins and webinars August 3rd & 11th for which you must register by email: visit Southernwater.co.uk, search under Water for Life, then Consultations. For those not online there is no obvious number or address so they are severely disenfranchised. All detailed documents are downloadable – online. The vast new development project will mean fundamental changes to the operation of Havant Thicket Reservoir and the boring of tunnels under many residential properties. SW and Portsmouth Water plan to use the expanded Reservoir to address water shortages in Hampshire and possibly across the southern region. How will a high intensity energy recycling plant at Budds Farm work, what are its implications for local fresh water quality and supply? Sign up to the consultation process now!
Confidence in SW remains low. On July 14th the Environment Agency reported its 2021 Performance Assessment of UK’s water and sewerage companies; SW is at the bottom, with declining data since 2020. Locally we know that Hayling’s sewerage infrastructure is still not fit for purpose and, despite major new developments, no plans for improvement. If existing infrastructure can’t cope with current population demand, why build thousands new family homes radically increasing the present burden? Despite our abundant local springs, even now Portsmouth Water urges the public to restrict our water use.
A Freedom of Information request of the Council, found that there has been no response to Cllr. Rennie’s letter as Leader of the Council (24-3-22) to the Government - and copied, amongst others, to Alan Mak MP, - in which he strongly argues our coastal area is so heavily “constrained in our ability to meet housing need” that “reform” of the Government’s “standard method” of calculating housing need is urgently needed. Government’s silence is eloquent.
The Local Plan, currently being re-worked, now seeks Havant Borough Residents’ Alliance input. This is welcome news and we hope there will be meaningful engagement. Infrastructure short-comings remain top of the list: transport, employment issues, sewage/water management, quality of housing, plus an essential reminder that there must be consultation involving everyone – including those not digitally active. Libraries with paper copies are essential, and of course Hayling’s Herald.
At the recent Cabinet meeting (13-7-22), HBC’s Climate Change & Environment ...Priorities 2022-23, available on their website, was endorsed by all. Council will address all carbon emissions from its operators, engage with the community & address carbon emissions from development (through the Local Plan), residents and industry, plus protect and enhance local greenspaces. In reality, excessive housing development is being built or earmarked on our wildlife corridors and versatile farm fields, it already generates huge environmental disruption and carbon emissions, without any of the vital infrastructure improvements either in place or even possible. I was recently advised that residents must accept that they don’t ‘need the car for the weekly shop’ and that national transport policy puts the private car at the ‘bottom of the pile’. Will future Sinah and Rook Farm new home buyers realize this when purchasing on Hayling? At Cabinet, Cllr. Pike referenced a cycle route, that had been built across Mengham Park, as evidence of Council’s commitment to encouraging cycling. Unfortunately, after decades of campaigning, there is little other evidence of viable, long-term cycling alternatives to driving on/off Hayling for any but the most intrepid cyclist.
