Final plea in bid to stop housing estate being built
DESPERATE residents gave a last impassioned plea to an inspector not to give the go-ahead to a housing development.
For three days planning inspector Colin Ball has heard evidence in an appeal by Crayfern Homes against Havant Borough Council’s decision to turn down a 92-home estate off Scratchface Lane, Bedhampton.
The council’s planning committee rejected it on the basis that the noise from the A3M would be detrimental to people’s quality of life.
Jeffrey Lane is a trained psychotherapist and his home in Brooklands Road would be next to the proposed site.
He told the inspector he had done a lot of research into the effects of noise pollution on children.
‘The decision made in this inquiry will have far- reaching effects for many years to come,’ said Mr Lane.
‘With the opening of the Hindhead tunnel it’s probable traffic levels and traffic noise will increase considerably.
‘And based on my research it seems likely that levels of noise currently considered acceptable will in the future be regarded as unacceptable and dangerous to health, wellbeing and development.
‘The suggestion that children should be confined behind double-glazing to protect them from harmful effects of noise is to me both repugnant, cruel and in many ways simply ridiculous.’
Elaine Surrey, another resident of Brooklands Road, said: ‘We’re discussing a site which in the past was considered unfit for a cemetery because it was not tranquil enough.’
She went on: ‘I fear we’re on the verge of a great miscarriage of justice being implemented if this goes ahead.’
The inquiry heard from noise experts from Crayfern and the council who argued over whether the development is acceptable with the level of noise from the motorway.
Crayfern’s noise expert said although it is accepted that some of the site will fall under category C levels of noise – where building is only allowed with strict conditions – the increase from category B, which most of the site lies within, would not be perceptible.
Councillor Ann Buckley, who represents Bedhampton on Hampshire County Council, said: ‘The World Health Organisation identified noise as the second biggest environmental problem affecting health after air pollution.’
A decision will not be made for several weeks.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Portsmouth
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
Comments
There are 3 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
Bedhampton Paul
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 11:33 AMFor the developers to say that noise in Hillmead Gardens is acceptable is wrong. There are many residents in the estate, and indeed other areas of Havant, who have complained to our elected Councillors and MP David Willets about the increase in noise. Many of us would think twice if we were here buying now but we have our roots and friends here and many of us do not the resources to move where we would like to - unlike the QC, the developers and their asscoiates, who I suspect won't be moving in when if it gets built. The noise according to the survey figures may just be acceptable on paper now but it will only get worse, BUT the noise surveys showed that the noisiest part was near the motorway but anybody who has been in that feild will tell you that it gets worse as you walk away from it. Something is not right!
dave3974
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 07:21 PMunless the protestors get off their backsides and realy take action , stop access to the site and behave like the french , dutch or anyb reasonable populace , the estate will be built and the next and the next ..
griffon
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 09:01 AMAtter attending this Inquiry I can well see why residents feel powerless against corporate developers. They turned up with a high powered team of specialist led by a QC. The council had its own QC but then had to rely for evidence mostly on a band of determined campaigners concerned about creating a poor living environment. Whatever the outcome they can feel proud they did their best to defend Havant council's decision-it was plain to see who had the courage of their own convictions.
Page 1 of 1
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.