Campaigners' response to Inspector's Report

A group of countryside campaigners have vowed to fight on for quality of life and protection of grade A farmland that could be affected by a new Strategic Development Area north of Fareham. They have given a cautious welcome to the Government Inspector's guidance on environmental protection for the local area, but say there are still major uncertainties over budgeting and planning of traffic, transport and schools.

Caroline Dibden from the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Hampshire said: "We are bitterly disappointed about the decision to go ahead. From a brief look at the Inspector's report, it seems he felt he had to agree with the Strategic Development Area (SDA) north of Fareham, because it is still in line with the South East Plan – due to be abolished imminently by Parliament. We are just waiting for the Queen's assent on the Bill. Why did Fareham Borough Council feel the need to rush the Inquiry through?

"It is quite clear also that building a new town is not for Fareham's own needs but it is for regional need. It is a shame that Fareham has to take everyone else's housing."

Campaigners are pleased that the Inspector said no to a proposed employment area at junction 11 of the M27. Mrs Dibden said: "We argued strongly that this is prime farmland, of great quality; and that building here would be in conflict with local councils' own policy of 'Cities first' in terms of economic renaissance. At any rate, it was against the old South East Plan that said that the slopes of Portsdown Hill should be protected.  Now, they will be."

David Walton, of Wallington Village Community Association added: "Whilst extremely disappointing, the Core Strategy is but the 'concept phase' for this development. The next phase of the planning process, the Area Action Plan will prove much more demanding for Fareham Borough Council, not least because they will be forced to address all of the difficult issues such as traffic impact, funding of infrastructure, etc, all of which they have ignored thus far. There will be a second Public Inquiry into the AAP in mid-2012."

Mr Walton continued: "The SDA has been and will continue to be, bitterly opposed by residents of North and East Fareham, Knowle, Funtley and Wickham, on whom it will have the greatest impact."

If you are affected, please contact Caroline Dibden via CPRE Hampshire on 01962 779185 or visit: www.cprehampshire.org.uk.