24/03/2008 by admin.

No. 34 – conversion to 10 one bed room flats 08/50513/008 Area Team: 2 Case Officer Mrs D Haywood Telephone 023 9244 6513
 

64 Havant Road, Emsworth, PO107LQ
Installation of dormers in roof of existing building, two storey extension to east elevation, single storey extension to south elevation. Enlarged accommodation providing 10No. 1 bedroom flats.
Applicant Mr & Mrs Doran 64 Havant Road Emsworth Hants PO107LQ
Agent Edward Caush Associates 11 Southdown Road Cosham

Comment to HBC

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22/03/2008 by George.

The 7 Feb 08 edition of ‘Country Life’ Magazine carried a feature article by local journalist Liz Sagues explaining the work of the Chichester Harbour Trust. 

Complemented by images from photographer David Noton, the article emphasises the importance of

Chichester
Harbour as a wildlife habitat, a beautiful landscape and a peaceful refuge to be enjoyed by the local inhabitants and the many visitors to the area alike. 

It particularly stresses the ‘people pressure’ that threatens the area through the demand for more housing and the temptations of ever increasing land prices. 

The article points to a number of projects where the Trust is helping to ease that pressure by taking over areas of land for the very long term. It also highlights the value of the charity as a mechanism whereby the local authority can set land aside as an ‘environmental corridor’ in the hands of the Trust in order to minimise the impact of necessary development.  

Country Life has a circulation of over 40,000 so such a prominent article will give the Chichester Harbour Trust some very valuable exposure throughout the Country. It will help to explain the importance of the charity’s aim to conserve Chichester Harbour both now and for generations to come.

  http://www.chichesterharbourtrust.co.uk/

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21/03/2008 by admin.

A HAVANT BOROUGH COUNCIL is to plough ahead with controversial proposals to build on greenfield sites despite opposition from residents.

Planning officers at Havant Borough Council have drawn up a list of sites suitable for housing – and these include greenfield sites previously off limits to developers.

The majority of homes will be built in areas where there is already housing but about 2,000 will be put in areas of green gap – open spaces that separate towns.

One of the most controversial areas is the Emsworth gap, which separates Emsworth and Westbourne.

At a meeting of the council’s executive last night, councillors launched a six-week consultation period.

Residents have been told to make their voices heard.

The borough needs to find space for 6,300 new homes in the next 20 years.

St Faith’s Ward councillor David Guest said: ‘I stress that this is open to public consultation and it is consultation that we want.

‘The officers must find potential sites, we have an obligation to do that from central government. They have gone through this with a finetooth comb. I dare say a lot of them will raise a lot of public debate.’

The plan for the Emsworth gap concerns 17 acres, home to tawny owls, buzzards and foxes. It is one of several sites protesters are fighting to keep.

John Briggs, chairman of conservation group Bosmere Hundred, said: ‘We’re very unhappy about building on greenfield sites and we’re very concerned about any infringement on the local gap.’

Like all local authorities, Havant is drawing up a Local Development Framework, which decides where houses can be built.

There will now be a series of exhibitions. People can look at the plans and give their opinions. The consultation will run from March 14 to April 25.

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10/03/2008 by George.

1:00pm oon March 1oth - high water.

More photos at: http://www.visitemsworth.co.uk/March%2010%202008.htm

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01/03/2008 by admin.

Emsworth residents have shown enthusiasm for early plans for a refurbishment of the South Street Emsworth Centre.
The Havant Borough Council- owned centre could be refurbished and made more accessible to the public.

The wider part of the plan takes in the public toilets in the South Street car park which could be demolished for shops and houses and moved.

Havant Borough Council business development manager Tony Lee presented the idea to the Emsworth Community Board last week.

He said: “There is potential to look at the Emsworth Centre and refurbish it to improve the facilities and make it something that would actually address the needs of people in south Emsworth.

“The Emsworth centre could become somewhere people could pop in for a coffee and used as a meeting place – there is huge capacity for usage of the centre.

“The positioning of the building is superb – it is in an area people visiting and walking through will come and see.”

The council is also looking at the idea of selling off the access on to Nile Street at the north of the car park, but still leaving a pedestrian access through.

If the plan goes ahead there would still be access into the car park by the toilets, but the open space would be reduced with shops or houses.

Mr Lee added: “There is potential to transform the retail area of South Street with a series of shops taking the place of the toilets while still allowing an access and egress into the car park.”

Chairman of Emsworth Business Association Brendan Gibb-Gray has been working with the council on the project.

He said: “It just seems to me one of the most attractive streets in Emsworth has gaps in it.

“I think most people will recognise we do not have a community facility in the centre ofthe town.

“Emsworth is such a stunning place when you walk around the harbour, but we have nowhere we can tell people what is on.

“It is exciting because it is for the future – it is not excluding anyone, it is an inclusive plan.”

The centre at the moment plays a vital role holding many community groups and organisations, and if the facilities were upgraded a lot more use could be made of the building.

As part of a bigger and better centre, it could have other uses, such as an extension of Emsworth museum, an information centre for the heritage trail, or an education centre for Chichester Harbour Conservancy.

There was a strong show of hands in support of the project at the community board meeting, meaning the project will move forward.

For more information, or to give feedback on the idea, contact Mr Gibb-Gray on 01243 377355, or email brendan.gibbgray@btopenworld.com

Chichester Observer newspaper29 January 2008

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