News

Anger over support for 4,000 countryside homes

By Stephen Lloyd
February 02, 2012

A REBEL councillor has come under fire for backing controversial plans to build thousands of homes in the countryside.

Richard Appleton is calling on Hart to ‘properly investigate’ an option to build around 4,000 homes in Winchfield.

The Fleet West councillor, who was stripped of his role as cabinet member for planning after it was revealed he had met privately with landowners and a developer over the mini-town plan, said the number of houses required in Hart is likely to increase by at least 2,500.

But Cllr Appleton said Hart is planning to put all the extra homes in Hook or Fleet and Church Crookham.

“This is on top of the current developments at QEB and Hitches Lane, and the planned 500 houses on Grove Farm next to Calthorpe Park School.

“That would make a grand total of over 5,300 extra houses in Fleet by 2028. Sites proposed by developers would see Crookham Village merged into Fleet.”

Cllr Appleton said he thought Fleet had expanded too much, too fast over recent decades and cannot cope with yet another major expansion.

He added that if more development was needed then Hart should look at a new eco-village elsewhere.

“Recently a number of landowners have proposed building an eco-village around Winchfield railway station.

“Such a development could be planned to use the latest designs for saving energy and water, and could have its own health centre, schools and local shops – all within easy walking of the housing.

“This would put less pressure on local infrastructure compared to extending Fleet down to Crookham Village.

“With its own railway station and access to the M3 via junction 5, it would cause less congestion than extending Fleet.”

But Winchfield Parish Council chairman Andrew Renshaw poured scorn on the eco-village idea.

He said: “We are already an eco-village: we have green fields.”

Cllr Renshaw added: “The Appletown project was discredited when it was discovered that Cllr Appleton had been holding secret meetings with Winchfield landowners while he was Hart’s portfolio holder for planning.

“The concept of a major development is not part of Hart’s Core Strategy which is the council’s official policy.

“However, I am not surprised to learn that he continues to pursue his personal agenda now that he is out on his own.

“But I do wonder whether people in Fleet really want to see a new town on their doorstep and the loss of countryside.

“I would prefer to see policies that would revitalise Fleet as a shopping centre.”

Winchfield Action Group (WAG) said it has been encouraged by the level of support it has received from residents of Hart to protect Winchfield from large-scale development.

WAG chairman Tristram Cary said: “We have received many messages of support from residents of Fleet and the villages surrounding Winchfield wanting to protect the rural landscape and natural beauty of the countryside.”

He added: “Whilst some Fleet residents may not want further expansion of Fleet, they certainly do not want Winchfield to be destroyed in the process.

“They enjoy the many varied aspects of Winchfield, from spotting kingfishers to taking a peaceful stroll along the canal, and more active pursuits like kayaking and cycling.

“Winchfield is a special place that individuals like Cllr Appleton should not be allowed to spoil.”

| Submit Comments | View Comments (12)

« Previous Story | Next Story »

Most recent user comments 12 of 12

Show 15 | 25 | 50 per page

Great! MORE houses...! Frankly I have to wonder who HART council actually work for these days, I cannot bring to mind the last thing they collectively did that benefited the Fleet/Church Crookham area. On the positive side there will no doubt be a token gesture towards upgrading the local infrastructure... Based on their existing track record a few more pubs and some randomly placed speed bumps.

Seriously though, this has got to stop. Fleet/Church Crookham have been effectively ruined through badly considered and executed developments, marketed by central government as essential. HART council have been willing participants only considering the increased council tax takings and not the lives of the people they purportedly represent.

MKBP
06/03/2012 at 17:55

As someone that grew up in Hartley Wintney and now lives in Fleet with friends and family across Hart I'm sure the powers that be will love the slagging match that is occurring between Winchfield and Fleet as it takes the spot light off what is really occurring – mass development across Hart. If development was to occur in either location it would significantly and irreparably change the face of the place for the existing residents and their community. It would also affect residents across Hart as after all we do use the same road systems and rail lines. In August 2011 Fleet was notified about the suggested and already commencing 2,832 homes to be built as part of the suggested Hart Core Strategy but now there is to be an almost 100% increase in the number of houses to be built despite wide spread opposition to the initial figure of houses to be built and no consultation regarding these additional houses. Fleet cannot and will not cope with further development as the area becomes an urban sprawl. For example there is already the suggestion that with the initial 2,832 homes Calthorpe School will have to increase to allow 330 students per year – is this acceptable? If Winchfield thinks that they will escape development they are sorely mistaken as once an area is ear marked for potential development it will probably occur at some point in the future. Crookham Village is a village just like Winchfield and Crookham Village will be gobbled up by the splurge of the Fleet proposed development so being a village in the countryside does not secure your safety. Surely instead of fighting each other we should join forces – Hart Against Development as we are being HAD by this disgraceful and ever increasing huge development that blots Hart’s landscape that most of us are surely unanimous in saying is not acceptable.

jp2012
06/03/2012 at 16:14

I fear we aren't looking at the big picture. Yes, Fleet is overdeveloped (except for the town centre which appears to be on its knees). The area we live in is surrounded by beautiful countryside. If we keep on allowing these large developments in before we know it we'll be living in an urban sprawl, battling through ever increasing traffic and staring at nothing but brick and concrete. If certain members of the council and developers had their way then Winchfield, Hartley Wintney, Eversley, Rotherwick, Crondall, Odiham, Upton grey, all of these places and more would just be one giant housing plot.

The people of winchfield don't view themselves as special but like many they do feel they have a duty to protect the surrounding area from being wiped off the map. At the same time we welcome development that is appropriate to the size of the area.

If you want to live in a sprawl, move to Bracknell, working there I can say this is what happens when people with no idea build ‘new towns’.

SimonB72
21/02/2012 at 09:42

Amazing that we haven't heard from Councillor Crookes, Leader of the Council, or perhaps he is too busy looking after the interests of Odiham where he lives. What makes Winchfield and Odiham so special? Fleet used to have green fields - now they are called the Elvetham and Eden Estates (and Grove Farm Estate shortly). Welcome to our world "Winchfieldodians", but don't worry, I'm sure Mr Crookes and his like minded cohorts will look after you!

FitzyG
11/02/2012 at 16:39

Decent citizen - we will need to think of a new name for the area Camfalderfield has a nice ring to it - or Winfalderborough

pjt
07/02/2012 at 12:53

4000 houses? that's a complete new town. It will need massive infrastructure - roads, education - what about the health system that is struggling now? Will that see an increase in funding? I doubt it. In this area in the summer, we already have problems with the water supply - 4000 houses will see a substantial increase in demand for water.

4000 houses? Where are all these people going to work? Unemployment is already too high.

It's unsustainable to just keep building and building. Farnborough and Aldershot are already merged into one; before long, we will have Hook and Fleet merging into one with Odiham and Winchfield added on.

.

Decent citizen of the UK, Camberley
06/02/2012 at 13:28

4,000 homes = approx 2.25 Elvetham Heaths if my maths is right.

Dan B
06/02/2012 at 13:06

I agree with Button 3800, it seems they are determined to build this many houses and Fleet has had its fill of new developments, Winchfield has its own station and is a stones throw from J5, seems perfect to me! Instead of cramming more into Fleet and its over-used small station, station car park and roads!

David Nicholls
06/02/2012 at 10:25

pjt How many new homes are being built in Wiltshire to accommodate people moving away, it' just a big game of chess, everybody moving around the country to avoid the inevitable. Yes we need houses and for some reason they want them in the South, i don't doubt that given a few more years your scenario will come true. I know that where I live in Fleet there was once a wood some 20 years ago, Hitches Lane was a farm..etc etc. time moves on changes happen, doesn't matter what or who governs the Country or local area houses will be built in the UK because we welcome everyone with open arms, and that is where the problem lies....

Button 3800, Fleet
03/02/2012 at 22:31

Button 3800, What makes Winchfield so special? NOTHING ... but that misses the point.

4,000 houses is hardly a field or two; it also has a huge impact on the surrounding area including the overdeveloped Fleet which as you say has had its fill. In fact the developers don't think Fleet has had its fill as there is more in the pipeline. We have 800 home on QEB, more Hitches Lane,... and so it goes on. 4,500 houses are planned for Aldershot... and there's Pyestock bringing the threat of a huge number of lorries and expansion of Farnborough bringing aircraft noise.

To accommodate overall development in the region Winchfield station will need to be expanded, country roads will need to be widened, more dual carriageway planned. Before you know it Winchfield, Fleet, Farnham, Aldershot, Camberly will become one huge conurbation.

Yes, you only have to DRIVE 5 minutes in any direction - we used to be able to walk 5 mins in any direction and pretty soon that 5 minute drive will become 20 and it will be a long drive heavy traffic. More home, more traffic, more pollution.

We need houses but surely the burden needs to be spread and not packed into this small area. Quality of life in this area is declining very fast... well, so be it. I'm already house hunting in Wiltshire.

pjt
03/02/2012 at 15:15

What makes Winchfield so special that it should not be considered for expansion? . It has a railway line to London easy access to the Motorway, just like Hook and they have expanded, being named the Best place to live is a double edged sword...Fleet has had its full of new homes, how about Rotherwick or Mattingley??

You only have to drive 5 minutes in any direction from Fleet to find open fields,we can spare an odd field or two!

Button 3800, Fleet
03/02/2012 at 14:04

Why would you want to destroy the green lung that Winchfield creates for the surrounding towns and villages. This area of the country is already overpopulated. What we need is more industry and employment outside of the south east not short term, poorly planned ideas like this.

Since when did 4000 homes = 'eco village'?