'It's beggars belief' - Hayling Island Resident's Association shocked at inquiry outcome
Plan for 300 new homes on Hayling Island approved
A member of the Hayling Island Residents’ Association has called the decision to approve 300 new dwellings on the island as “farcical” with the inspector “ignoring” reason.
After Havant Borough Council chose not to appeal the plans at an inquiry, Anne Skennerton and fellow members of the HIRA, chose to take up the case themselves and hire a legal team. At a four day inquiry the HIRA set out to show that the new homes would have an adverse effect on traffic, flooding and the environment with Rook Farm a designated site for Brent Geese.
They have now been left shocked and devastated after the decision was confirmed to have gone in favour of Gladman Developments Ltd.
Anne, who is the secretary and acting chair of HIRA, said: “In life you hope for the best and prepare for the worst. We tried to prepare for the worst by doing our best to present the case, we knew we were up against it but that didn’t make it impossible. We had no way knowing which way the inspector would go.
“It is farcical really. Seriously, who is going to buy properties in Hayling given the already known difficulties with congestion? It is just beggars belief. It is not fair on the community.”
The increased traffic the new development would bring to the island was one of the main points of contention with the Langstone Bridge the only route on and off Hayling Island. Concerns were also raised by the HIRA over the safety of the already well-used bridge with increased traffic from construction vehicles.
Another issue raised was environmental with the green space currently being used by Brent Geese. Anne said: “It is a huge disappointment and a profound sadness for all those of us who love Hayling. Anyone who has lived here or visited here, they come here for the environment, they come here for the wildlife, for the habitat and the beauty. For many it is an unspoilt haven.
“It is that location in the heart of Hayling with the habitat it has, the value that local residents have placed on walking through its peaceful countryside atmosphere. We know it is a valued habitat to the Brent Geese. One cannot, despite what planners say, keep moving the Brent Geese, expecting them to follow some magical signpost that will provide them with a core site when that already is a core site.
“That may seem trivial to some and unimportant but it represents something of vital importance to human life and that is our natural environment.”
While losing one of the Island’s natural habitats was a huge disappointment for Anne and the HIRA, the risk of flooding and a lack of infrastructure on the island was the big bone of contention.
She said: “The overarching issue is our lack of infrastructure. This island is severely limited, we cannot suddenly build a major highway somewhere.
“To read the inspector’s report which states there could be a flooding problem but that there is sea and air access to Hayling Island, but then adds some storms may prevent that. What? We have 18,000 people here and up to 2,000 that come to visit. You would laugh at it if it wasn't such an incredible frame of mind. I’m angry.”
In the inspectors conclusion he pointed to the need for more housing due to a shortfall in the area as carrying the most “substantial weight” in his decision making process.
Anne said: “We did all we could, the rule 6 representatives, the residents who stood up and spoke, and our legal team with the short amount of time we had to put it together. It was not enough to make that material consideration which unfortunately is the pressure to have more housing.
“It is a bad day, it is bad news. Our CEO and planning department at Havant Borough Council should have taken action to protect Rook Farm a few years ago and the fact that they didnt defend this did not help our cause at all. What message did that give the inspector?
“We thought the inspector would listen to reason, he had plenty of examples of the issues here and he ignored them.”