Bypass future uncertain as inquiry closes

  The Compulsory Purchase Order and Side Roads Order of the Stubbington Bypass were objected to by resident Rose Christophersen with road safety, brent geese and the Strategic Gap among the reasons for her disagreement with the Hampshire County Council scheme.

She said: '˜The Stubbington Bypass can't and won't change the congestion, it will just move the traffic from one area to another and not actually change anything in an already over congested, overpopulated township, and once the green space is built on and developed it can never be recovered.

The £34m bypass, that will run from Titchfield Road to Gosport Road and was granted planning permission in 2015, was due to start construction early next year but proceedings have been delayed due to the inquiry.

Mrs Christophersen also referenced part of the scheme being on land used by protected species brent geese and safety of pedestrians on Ranvilles Lane.

Hugh Flanagan from Francis Taylor Building appeared on behalf of HCC to question Mrs Christophersen on her case. 

During cross examination Mr Flanagan asked Mrs Christophersen why she disagreed with the county council, Fareham and Gosport Borough Councils in terms of boosting the local economy  at the Solent Enterprise Zone in Daedalus. 

In response she said: '˜I  only disagree with the Stubbington Bypass plans and not other proposals by the councils. I don't agree it will promote jobs in the Solent Enterprise Zone.'

She also raised concerns over house building along in the Strategic Gap due to Fareham's increased housing numbers.

She said: '˜The new bypass will encourage urban sprawl. It will facilitate the building of additional housing.'

Mr Flanagan said: '˜Contrary to Mrs Christophersen's representations, the bypass is not being provided with an intention of serving or facilitating additional new housing.'

In HCC's closing statement by Mr Flanagan, he said:  '˜There is a clear and pressing need for the scheme, for which funding and planning permission is in place , and which does not suffer from any impediments.' 

Inspector Bridget Campbell will now write up her findings and present the report to the government with a decision expected some time next year.