Campaigners call for Public Inquiry to Stop Fareham New Town

(Image shows artist’s impression of a development like Petersfield in place of existing countryside)

Press release   15th February 2011

Seven separate submission documents have been handed in to Fareham Borough Council with evidence to show that the Core Strategy for the borough is ‘unsound’, and calling for a Public Inquiry into how the council’s consultation process has been handled.  

The image above shows how a development might look, north of the M27. At the moment this area contains fine agricultural land and a ‘green lung’ valued by local residents.  

Countryside campaigners, CPRE Hampshire presented a 37-page document outlining in detail the reasons for the charity’s disquiet about the need for the housing, which has not yet been clearly justified. Alternative options to a Strategic Development Area, which would become a new town the size of Petersfield, have not been properly examined. In addition, there has been inadequate consultation, as described in the document submitted.

Becky French, branch development officer from CPRE Hampshire spent days with Caroline Dibden in preparing two lever-arch files of evidence to support the submission. These have been presented to the Council. Caroline and Becky worked closely with colleagues from other organisations who have formed the core team for the “Stop Fareham New Town” campaign.

Other submissions supporting the CPRE Hampshire view, and outlining separate viewpoints, have been made by Wickham Parish Council, Knowle Village Residents Association, The Fareham Society, Funtley Residents, Wallington Village Community Association; as well as by Ward Councillors from Fareham North and East. The over-riding emphasis is on a call for a Public Inquiry in the summer.

Meantime, a concerned resident in Funtley has set up an e-petition for Fareham residents to fill in online at:  http://bit.ly/hlqjsC.

For further information about the campaign, please visit: www.cprehampshire.org.uk.

Notes:-

1.  CPRE Hampshire works with partner organisations on the “Stop Fareham New Town" campaign. They 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.

 

2. A postcard campaign for individuals to send their views to Grant Shapps, Minister for Housing and Local government.  Details at www.cprehampshire.org.uk or telephone 01962 779185.