Gosport politicians call for unity against Fareham housing proposals

TOP politicians in Gosport have rallied people in the borough to speak out against plans to build more than 450 homes on their doorstep.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Sep 2018, 22:25 BST
Updated 6th Sep 2018, 23:32 BST
Residents meet at Peel Common Junior School to discuss Fareham Borough Council's draft local plan, which includes 475 homes in the land next to Tukes Avenue. Picture: David GeorgeResidents meet at Peel Common Junior School to discuss Fareham Borough Council's draft local plan, which includes 475 homes in the land next to Tukes Avenue. Picture: David George
Residents meet at Peel Common Junior School to discuss Fareham Borough Council's draft local plan, which includes 475 homes in the land next to Tukes Avenue. Picture: David George

Fareham Borough Council's draft local plan proposes 475 new homes to be built to the land off Tukes Avenue in Bridgemary, causing major concern among residents.

While the homes are in the Fareham borough, it is expected that it would be Gosport infrastructure that bears the brunt of the homes, should an application be approved.

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At a meeting at Peel Common Junior School last night, a number of politicians met with more than 100 residents, calling for them to stand up and be counted.

Chairman of the council's economic development board, Cllr Stephen Philpott, said: '˜All the infrastructure for this developmentwould be in Gosport.

'˜This proposal, including the demolition of 165 and 167 Tukes Avenue to build an access point, was put into the draft local plan without any consultation with Gosport Borough Council. I don't understand how they can justify that.

'˜We are asking people to do what they have done before '“ not one person in Gosport or Fareham supports this and so it's up to the public to show Fareham Borough Council that we're not going to stand for it.'

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Leader of Gosport Borough Council, Cllr Mark Hook, echoed Cllr Philpott's words.

He said: '˜Fareham Council doesn't need to build homes for us.

'˜We have a solid local plan delivering an allocation of 238 homes per year '“ and already have an eight year supply in the books.

'˜We've don't need their help building homes in the area; we never have.'

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Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage added: '˜Councils have a duty to protect themselves and local people with things like their local plans.

'˜One of my big concerns is that Fareham doesn't have that and that Gosport will suffer for it.'

Resident Henry Ashley, who lives in Newgate Lane, said: '˜I really hope that Fareham Borough Council loses its fight on this.'

Steven John, who lives in Albert Road, added: '˜My worries come from the 90 per cent sway we had for the IFA2 decision '“ we were still ignored on that and I'm worried it will happen again'

Leader of Fareham Borough Council Cllr Sean Woodward was invited to the meeting but was unable to attend.

Related topics:GosportFareham