Homes Knocked Back In Whiteley - New Shops To Be Built Instead

Finally, after all the palaver and indecision over the

future of Whiteley’s commercial centre, a decision has been made.  With all the rumours that the village’s

commercial centre would close completely, this is probably good news for

residents.

Plans to demolish the shopping village and rebuild it,

adding forty new shops, were passed a day or so ago by Winchester City

Council.  Fareham Borough Council are

said to be opposed to the plans on the grounds that a new shopping area would

draw shoppers away from its own town centre – assuming of course they don’t

fill it with shops selling luggage or chavwear… again.  The council are said to be considering

contesting any agreed plans with the Secretary of State.

Around 100m is to be spent on the scheme which will include

a new community hub added to the existing site at the Meadowside Leisure

Centre.  This will give the community a

new community centre, a library and parish council offices.

Less commercial and more housing-based plans were approved a

year ago and went uncontested by Fareham Borough Council.  And in direct relation to that, here is a

telling statement – or certainly a controversial one on the part of the

Southampton Echo:

“Their original plans included a hotel and residential

housing, but they were scrapped due to a lack of demand.”

A lack of demand for what, housing?  I thought there were thousands of people

waiting to be housed in Fareham?  I thought the latest outcry about all those homes

being built on the Knowle land was dismissed due to the high demand for housing

here?  What is going on?

Answers on a post card to: www.farehampeople.co.uk !