|
|
CATISFIELD
VILLAGE ASSOCIATION Spring Newsletter Digest, April 2008.
Planning Update. The last quarter has been relatively, and thankfully,
quiet on the planning front with the sole contentious application being
rejected. Again, many thanks to Andy Hay who religiously carries out
a weekly planning scan on behalf of the CVA.
REJECTED. The application for 6 detached properties on the site
of 29 Catisfield Road was rejected by Fareham Planners on the grounds
of "over development". The CVA and several individuals had objected
to this application. Councillor Connie Hockley led the opposition but
it should be noted that only a few CVA members turned up to support
her.
PORTSMOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB. As we go to press we learn that Portsmouth
Football Club now have a preferred site in Gosport for the Academy and
training ground they proposed to build alongside Titchfield Abbey. However
they're believed to still own the land and we'll keep a close eye on
any future proposals for it.
BUILDING. The construction of a block of flats on the site of
36 Catisfield Road continues with considerable disruption being caused
to the lives of adjacent residents. This is added to by work on the
two houses opposite on the site of number 21 which appears to be almost
complete. Thank you to all those who supported the CVA in objecting
to plans which we consider to be in contravension of planning guidelines
and detrimental to the neighbourhood.
Note: Upcoming Fareham Planning Committee meetings 2008: Wednesdays
May 14. June 11. July 9. August 6. September 3. October 1. November
26. December 17.
Flower of the village. "Catisfield Pride" preserved.
The Catisfield Horticultural Society holds its Summer Show this year
on June 28th in the Memorial Hall and will feature cuttings for sale
of a very special fuchsia named "Catisfield Pride". It was bred by John
Bridgland who lived in Friars Pond Road, off Catisfield Road. Sadly,
he died in August 2007, just after reaching his 100th birthday.
John was a very keen gardener - in a previous house in Gudge Heath Lane
he had 120 rose varieties. He became Vice-Chairman, and later President,
of Catisfield Horticultural Society and President of the Solent Fuchsia
Club. He bred a number of different types of plants but specialised
in fuchsias. He produced over 40 named varieties of the plant. Quite
a number were sold commercially, the most successful being "Amanda Bridgland"
which is still sold today (in the Netherlands, USA and Germany!).
A blaze of glory. Still on a horticultural theme, the Environmental
sub-committee led by Judy Ekins, and her army of volunteers, have rightly
been complimented on the wonderful blaze of Spring colour, especially
at the junction of Catisfield Road and Highlands Road, that resulted
from their bulb planting efforts on a truly stormy and dreadful day
last autumn. Volunteers will be needed again this year--hopefully in
better weather, More in the next newsletter. Meanwhile, if you have
a local environmental concern. Judy and her sub committee would be delighted
to hear from you.
Indeed our other two sub committees, Traffic Calming and Social, would
also welcome ideas and input from members. Contact details for all can
be found under Committees.
EARLY WARNING. Wanted ----Fresh Faces. With both Chairman Penny Melville-Brown
and Treasurer Sally James giving early notice of their intention not
to seek re-election at the next AGM (see date below), the Association
is actively looking for new blood. Neither Penny nor Sally are stepping
down for any other reason than their wish to see an injection of new
life into the Committee. Penny has even let it be known she may well
stand for re-election when her batteries are recharged.
So if you have
both the time and inclination to put something back into your community
put your name forward. Better still come along and sit in on a committee
meeting. The work isn't onerous, is always satisfying and is often even
enjoyable. If you wish to come along please contact Penny Melville-Brown
at the number at the end of this newsletter or any committee member.
The next Committee meeting will be on Tuesday July 1st at 25 Catisfield
Road. We look forward to seeing you and you can be sure of a warm welcome.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY. Summer Fun. Saturday July 19th. Catisfield
Cottage Guest House. TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW. See under Events.
Autumn
Theatre Evening. Saturday October 18th. Catisfield Memorial Hall. TICKETS
AVAILABLE NOW. See under Events.
Catisfield Village Association AGM 2008. September 16, 7-30pm.
Catisfield Memorial Hall. Please note that nominations will be required
for mermbers to replace the current Chairman and current Treasurer at
this meeting. The guest speaker will be from the Driving Standards Agency
and will be of particular interest to older drivers. More in the next
newsletter.
|
|
CATISFIELD VILLAGE ASSOCIATION Winter Newsletter
Digest. February 2008.
Pompey plans for Training Academy don't chime with
the planners!
So many members of the public attended the meeting of
Fareham Planning Committee on January 14th that they overflowed into
the adjacent council chamber. Among them were several CVA members.
They were there to hear the result of the Portsmouth Football Club application
to build a training centre and Academy on land between Cartwright Drive
and Mill Lane in a Conservation Area. Several individuals spoke in favour
of the application but the stronger lobby was against.
The CVA was not the only organisation objecting to the plans. We were
joined by the Titchfield Village Trust, the Titchfield Society, The
Titchfield Players, the Fareham Society and, crucially, English Heritage.
Stephen Day of the CVA spoke ably against the proposal on behalf of
the CVA..
Fareham planners had recommended refusual and, after some discussion,
the Committee voted unanimously to reject the application. However it
is believed the football club will be appealing.
Some we win--some we lose.
Planning Update. The last quarter has seen mixed results in our attempts
to preserve the character of Catisfield in the face of determined developers
with, often, inappropriate plans.
On the negative side, the Government allowed the appeal on the failed
application for retrospective permission to continue building two detached
houses on the site of 21 Catisfield Road which had been started in the
wrong position. Work has now recommenced.
A new application for 6 detached properties on the site of 29 Catisfield
Road was lodged, some might think suspiciously, on Christmas Eve! The
CVA and several individuals lodged objections before the January deadline
about aspects of the application including the number of proposed homes
and the siting of the houses.
Garden Grabbing. The Prime Minister re-acts to the online petition.
Many of you will have added your names to the recent Number 10 online
petition asking the Prime Minister to ban "garden-grabbing", the practice
by which large gardens can be regarded by developers and planning authorities
as "brownfield sites" suitable for development. Prime Minister Gordon
Brown's response to the petition can be viewed at www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page14457.asp
NEWS IN BRIEF.
Subs frozen for 2008.
Because the overwhelming majority of members paid their subs on time
the Committee are delighted to announce they have decided to keep subscriptions
at the same modest level for the immediate future.
EARLY WARNING. Wanted ----Fresh Faces.
With both Chairman Penny Melville-Brown and Treasurer Sally James giving
early notice of their intention not to seek re-election at the next
AGM (see date below), the Association is on the lookout for new blood.
Neither Penny nor Sally are stepping down for any other reason than
their wish to see an injection of new life into the Committee. Penny
has even let it be known she may well stand for re-election when her
batteries are recharged.
So if you have both the time and inclination to do something on behalf
of your community put your name forward. Better still come along and
sit in on a committee meeting. The work isn't onerous, is always satisfying
and is often even enjoyable. If you wish to come along please contact
a committee member.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY.
Upcoming Fareham Planning Committee meetings 2008. Wednesdays: February
20th, March 19th.
Catisfield Village Association AGM 2008. September 26, Catisfield Memorial
Hall.
|
