Update: North Hampshire District Group

News from the North Hampshire District

In the previous issue of Hampshire Views, we updated on a proposed development of about 2,500 dwellings in open countryside around Upper Swallick. CPRE Hampshire has now prepared a comprehensive report on this scheme and submitted it to the relevant Councillors and Officers at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. There is also a petition whereby the public can make known their concern about the proposal and which can be found by searching online for Change.org Protect the North Hampshire Downs.

We are also responding to a proposal to construct a huge solar farm over about 200 acres of open land near Bramley. Whilst this might be seen as contributing to a national aspiration to combat climate change, it does in this instance contravene a number of local planning policies.

We continue otherwise to respond to individual planning threats and are hoping still this year to be able to engage again in fundraising events as and when current coronavirus restrictions may be relaxed.

Peter Bedford announced his retirement from the group at the end of last year and I would like to take the opportunity to extend my appreciation for all he has done.

As a dedicated countryman living in a beautiful part of the county near Winslade, Peter joined the North Hampshire District Group in 2007 and became its chairman in the following year, then also becoming a Trustee of CPRE Hampshire.

He has been tirelessly involved in CPRE both in local planning issues and with fundraising events. In the former role he has represented the charity at the local Council planning meetings. For the latter, he has made good use of his considerable contacts in the area to arrange private visits to gardens and, with his wife Valerie, taking a leading role in the preparation of the popular Autumn Supper to which he would also invite a speaker.

He and Valerie furthermore allowed the use of a fine barn at their home for meetings whether for further fundraising or for discussion groups. Peter’s considerable knowledge and enthusiasm will be greatly missed and those of us who remain in the group very much hope that we will continue to make ourselves felt within the locality as effectively as he has done.

We are pleased to welcome Beatrice Malama to the group and are looking for other new volunteers to join us – please see pages 10-11 of Hampshire Views.

Peter Prag
North Hampshire District Group Chairman
peterp@cprehampshire.org.uk