Havant borough councillors vote in support of 195 new homes on Hayling Island
POLITICIANS have backed controversial plans to build almost 200 new homes on Hayling Island.
At a Havant Borough Council meeting, councillors voted to support proposals by Barratt Homes for 195 homes on land north of Sinah Lane, near the seafront.
The planning application has been put forward to the government’s Planning Inspectorate for a decision, due to a halt in council proceedings following the outbreak of Covid-19 in March.
But Thursday evening’s meeting served as an advisory to the government, indicating how local politicians would have voted themselves.
Over a three-hour meeting, councillors debated the merits and drawbacks of the application, including concerns from residents on the impacts on wildlife and traffic.
Ward councillor for Purbrook, Cllr Ceren Howard, said: ‘This is a difficult and very emotive decision to make.
‘We need to provide housing and we have a duty to do that.
‘I do have a concern about the schools, however.’
Ward councillor for St Faith’s, Cllr David Guest, claimed that by approving the application, the council could still have some influence over the development.
He said: ‘If you don’t want to make difficult decision then you should not become a councillor.
‘Over the 22 years I have served on the council we’ve had many controversial planning applications.
‘In every case where we have approved them, the issues have been resolved.
‘Hundreds of houses have been built throughout the borough – we are obliged by the government to provide housing and if we don’t, then they will step in and do it for us.’
Councillor David Keast added: ‘Councillor Guest is right. If we don’t have a housing plan then all the land in the borough would be up for grabs, and we won’t have a say.
‘The highway is a real dilemma for us, I agree, but I have lived on Hayling Island for many years and won’t do anything that is detrimental to the town.
‘On the balance of things, I am going to support this application.’
The motion was eventually passed with five votes in favour and two against – but does not set the final outcome in stone.
A date for the Planning Inspectorate’s decision on the matter has not yet been set.