Latest news with #EastHampshire
BBC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Local council reorganisation: alternative suggestion put forward
An alternative idea for how the county of Hampshire could be carved up for new unitary councils has been put 14 councils in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are to be scrapped and new authorities created under local government reorganisation of the 14 councils are consulting on plans for five new councils but the leaders of Hampshire county and East Hampshire have backed an alternative model which sees the mainland split into three and the Isle of Wight stays alone. Cllr Nick Adams-King, leader of Hampshire county, said it was the only way to make sure "the new councils were resilient and sustainable and don't go bust within a short amount of time". Under this plan, there is a South East council including Portsmouth, Fareham, Gosport and Isle of Wight stays alone - both of those are the same as the alternative difference is with the north and mid council which includes Basingstoke, Hart, Rushmoor and South East council merges Southampton with Eastleigh, the New Forest and Test can read about the other consultation here - people can respond to both. A consultation launched on Monday for people to have their say on this plan, which Hampshire say will save £50m. "I admit it is confusing and I'm sorry that is the case," said Mr Adams-King, "but it's really important for people to tell us what they value as Hampshire county council provide 85% of services in the county". He added the solution the councils come up with has to make sure the most vulnerable people are protected and looked after even though "change is coming". However there is opposition to the plans amongst other local authorities.A joint statement has been published by Eastleigh Borough Council, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Fareham Borough Council, Hart District Council, Havant Borough Council, Isle of Wight Council, New Forest District Council, Portsmouth City Council, Rushmoor Borough Council, Southampton City Council, Test Valley Borough Council and Winchester City said: "Hampshire County Council has published its case for a future of only three, large-scale, councils across the county."Their proposal risks creating remote, oversized councils, cut off from the places and people they serve. Our communities deserve better."Cllr Martin, Leader of Fareham Borough Council, said: "I believe that localism is a crucial factor in any proposed change, helping to create a sense of home and belonging within the new council areas."So, while the proposed south-east cluster is reasonable, the same cannot be said for the north which ranges from Basingstoke to Rowlands Castle, or the south-west with areas as disparate as New Milton, Southampton and Andover." Hampshire's councils are being told by central government to happening alongside a devolution bid for a mayoral combined authority which is being supported by Hampshire county, Portsmouth city, Southampton city and Isle of Wight MCCA (Mayoral County Combined Authority) is set to come into operation in May government reorganisation will take another year. Each council needs to submit its plan for local government reorganisation by 26 September 2025. The government will then assess the options, put two or three out for public consultation and then make a final new councils would come into operation in May 2027. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Couple are ordered to tear down 'unsightly' log cabin illegally built in national park after uproar by 'appalled' locals
A couple have been told to tear down their 'unsightly' log cabin in a national park after locals complained it was a blight on the 'picturesque' landscape. Andrew and Deborah Melbourne built the fully insulated home on their land west of Lovedean Lane in Waterlooville, a viewpoint across the South Downs National Park. However, after an investigation by East Hampshire District Council on behalf of the South Downs National Park Authority, it was found that the cabin breached planning rules. The couple agreed last month that they would knock down the wooden building. It is a move that would leave residents 'thrilled', councillor Sara Schillemore said. 'Residents were appalled to see this unsightly structure being erected in one of the most picturesque and valuable viewpoints in East Hampshire,' the ward councillor for the area of Catherington said. She added that it is 'vitally important that we protect our precious landscape'. Between September 2024 and February 2025 officers served a planning contravention notice, two enforcement notices and a stop notice to the couple. In May, ahead of a scheduled High Court hearing in June, the Melbournes signed a legally binding contract agreeing to remove the building, take away the log cabin and return the landscape to its original condition. Councillor Angela Glass, portfolio holder for planning and enforcement, said: 'We are delighted this legal agreement has been signed and we now expect the development to be cleared over the next couple of months. 'This is the culmination of many months of complex legal and enforcement work by our determined team of officers to reach this position. 'I want residents to understand that if people breach planning rules, then we have the means to take action against them.' Tim Slaney, Director of Planning at the South Downs National Park Authority, said: 'I'm delighted we've reached a resolution to this breach of planning that was harming this wonderful nationally designated landscape. 'I would like to thank East Hampshire District Council which pursued this enforcement case with determination, making it clear we will not tolerate blatant breaches of planning.' The agreement sets out a 56-day deadline to carry out the work. Failure to comply with this type of legal agreement can lead to enforcement proceedings in the High Court which can lead to costly legal fees and even a custodial sentence.
BBC News
02-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Couple to tear down log cabin in Waterlooville after local uproar
A couple have been forced to tear down a log cabin after local residents were "appalled" by the impact it had on the national park's owners, Andrew and Deborah Melbourne, built the fully insulated structure on their land west of Lovedean Lane in Hampshire District Council investigated the build on behalf of the South Downs National Park Authority and found it had broken planning month, the Melbourne's agreed to remove the building and Councillor Sara Schillemore, said residents would be "thrilled". The ward councillor for the area of Catherington, reiterated that "residents were appalled to see this unsightly structure being erected in one of the most picturesque and valuable viewpoints in East Hampshire".She said it is "vitally important that we protect our precious landscape". 'Means to take action' The portfolio holder for planning and enforcement Councillor Angela Glass, echoed these thoughts and added: "This is the culmination of many months of complex legal and enforcement work by our determined team of officers to reach this position."I want residents to understand that if people breach planning rules, then we have the means to take action against them."The couple has a 56-day deadline to carry out the work. Failure to comply with this type of legal agreement can lead to enforcement proceedings in the High Court which can lead to costly legal fees and even a custodial sentence. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
