14/04/2008 by admin.

By trying to save Emsworth from turning into a ‘housing estate’. They are fighting plans to build hundreds of new homes on green spaces in the town. The strength of feeling was demonstrated last week when more than 160 people crammed into a public meeting to oppose the plans – which campaigners say will change the face of Emsworth forever.Havant Borough Council has been told by the government it must build 6,000 new homes over the next 20 years to meet housing demands.

Residents fears hundreds of homes to be built on green spaces in Havant borough could be in Emsworth.

Among the possible sites for development are 280 homes in the Emsworth Gap, 227 homes to the west and east of  Horndean Road

and 123 dwellings earmarked for Horse Field, south of the A259 in Emsworth.Now a protest group, called Emsworth Fights Back, has been  set up.A public consultation on the proposals finishes in less than two weeks – and campaigners are urging residents to write to the council to oppose the plans.

Penny Salter, of  Birch Tree Drive, Emsworth, said: 

 ‘This will destroy Emsworth completely if it goes through.  There is not the infrastructure and the roads won’t be able to cope with it. It will just turn Emsworth into a housing estate.’ The main concern for residents is the Emsworth Gap –17 acres of fields that separate Westbourne and the town – where 250 homes could be built. The green space is home to tawny owls, buzzards, and foxes. Residents say it would mean the death of Westbourne as a village in its own right.Emsworth councillor Brendan Gibb-Gray said: ‘To have the rate of housing building we are talking about, with no guarantees for the majority of those people, is a recipe for disaster.’ 

The News 14 April 2008  

More at: Emsworth Fights Back

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11/04/2008 by admin.

A booze ban aimed at cracking down on drink-fuelled crime has been given the green light.The licensing committee at Havant Borough Council yesterday gave the go-ahead to introduce fixed penalties for people who refuse to hand over alcohol to police if they are drinking in public.  The move comes more than a year after 11 areas were designated booze-free zones, including Havant town centre and the Greywell and Park Parade precincts. There are hopes that the latest idea will dramatically reduce the amount of drink-fuelled crime which puts Havant at the top of the table in the area for this sort of problem. But police have promised they will use the new powers only to stop nuisance behaviour. Inspector Darren Murphy said: ‘If you look at  Havant

06/04/2008 by admin.

The Foreshore at Warblington Road (10.00am)
Click to enlarge

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02/04/2008 by George.

A shop is leading the way in the drive to consign the plastic bag to history.Shoppers at the Southern Co-op store in Emsworth will no longer be able to pick up a free plastic bag at the checkout to stuff full of shopping. Instead they will have to pay five pence for a corn starch bag, which can afterwards be put in the compost heap to decompose.

Emsworth Business Association launched a bid for the town to go plastic-bag-free last year, and the Co-op has taken up the challenge.Ted Merdler, marketing manager at Southern Co-operatives, said: ‘We are delighted to be able to encourage a reduction in the amount of plastic bags used.’

The Co-op held a competition for youngsters to launch the first day of scrapping its carrier bags yesterday. Local children were asked to create a collage showing how they thought Emsworth would look in the future if people continued to use as many carrier bags as they do at the moment. 

The News 01 April 2008

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31/03/2008 by admin.

The Emsworth Business Association are preparing for another busy nyear with plans for lots of different ventures.The Town Map is in need of updating and modernising. The map is distributed in the community at the library, shops, tourist information outlets, hotels and estate agents to name but a few. It is extremely popular amongst residents and visitors alike so the Association will endeavour to have a new map printed in the near future.Reusable cotton bag project has proved another great success. To follow on with this venture, businesses will be asked if they will now sell the bags for a nominal sum as the EBA cannot keep funding this project. Early signs show retailers are very keen to promote the sale of these bags in their shops.Western Approach boat project is at present still in the embryonic stage. We have been given an 18 ft boat which is slightly larger than the Eastern Gateway boat. At present, Carol Haskett and Dave Wagg are negotiating a site with HBC and when this has been agreed we can then get the project off the ground.Emsworth Christmas event is again in the planning stages for 2008. This year we will have to ask for sponsorship again of various items such as mulled wine, mince pies, entertainment, lights, etc. as this is becoming a costly event. I am sure you will all agree this is an event that means a lot to the whole community and beyond, so we will endeavour at all costs to make it happen!The EBA are planning a major social event in October 2008 to coincide with the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Campaign, which is staged every yearin October. A “Pink Tie” Dinner, Dance and Auction will be held in a local hotel, details of venue, etc. to follow soon. We are hoping to raise a substantialamount of money for the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Charity and ask for 100 per cent support from our members. Within the EBA, we have members who have very recently had to face treatment for this dreadful disease and this is our way of showing our support. Anybody who can help or donate items for the auction, please contact Carol Haskett at GCS Computer Services Ltd on 01243 374126. This is open to residents and friends alike, so please feel  free to join us for this event. Details will follow in the July EMS and will be posted on the EBA website.   Carol Haskett - EBA Committee 

Published in The Ems April 2008

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