From Our Files: ‘Suicide Corner’... more land for homes... farmer saves carnival

THE question of Fernhill crossroads was discussed at last week’s meeting of the Borough Council, and a resolution proposed by Cllr L.N. Shannock to the effect “That this Council requests the County Council as the Highway Authority to take immediate steps to improve Fernhill crossroads either by constructing a roundabout or other suitable means” was carried.

These crossroads had become known as “Suicide Corner”, and the New Milton Rotary Club had previously suggested to the Council that something ought to be done.

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AS briefly reported in our last issue, the Borough Council, at their monthly meeting, gave the New Milton Argyll Football Club permission to close the ground for their six-a-side tournaments on 1st May, with the provision that ratepayers who wish to do so were to be allowed in free.

A letter was read from the hon. Secretary (Mr W. Chipp), in which he asked for such permission, stating that it was the only way in which the club could meet their expenses.

50 YEARS AGO

OVER 100 more acres are released for housing, and another eight for industrial purposes, in the Borough of Lymington under amendments to the draft plan for the district. Five of these are major changes to the draft plan, on which there has been little or no previous opportunity for the public to comment.

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PROPERTY developers, builders and estate agents should be excluded from the local council’s planning committee, New Milton ratepayers stipulated in a resolution passed at their association meeting. The reason for the proviso was so that “it would be possible for the general public to feel less aggrieved by planning decisions which adversely affect them”, explained chairman, Mrs D. M. Love.

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THANKS to the goodwill of a New Milton farmer, the town may be able to hold its jubilee carnival this summer after all.

Mr E. Farwell, who had previously allowed the use of a field on his farm in Gore Road as a carnival car park, has told the carnival committee that he is agreeable to the carnival itself being staged in the field. He would rather this than see the annual event cease altogether.

25 YEARS AGO

Lymington’s Olympic silver medallist, Ben Ainslie (21), became the Laser World Sailing Champion last week, winning the contest in Dubai with a full day to spare.

Also competing at the championships were fellow British Sailing Team member Nick Rogers (21), of Pylewell, who raced in the 470 class, and Jonathan Lasenby (26), of Brockenhurst, who represented Ireland in the single-handed Laser class.

After a difficult start, Ben made a rapid recovery climbing the leaderboard to overtake Olympic gold medallist Robert Scheidt of Brazil and win his class of 146 entrants.

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NEW Forest District Council’s Environmental Protection Liaison Committee voiced their opposition to the Environment Agency becoming sole regulator for authorising air pollution control, at a recent meeting.

Environmental Services Committee chairman Cllr Brenda Smith said: “The local population will continue to complain to local government... but this would leave authorities with no control over the major polluters on their doorsteps.”

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DOUBTS about a pedestrianised housing scheme, in which the houses and flats front onto car free areas, voiced by New Forest Planning Committee members, were not shared by tenants, they were told last week.

The innovative affordable housing scheme for 40 properties on Area 7 of development at Totton, on the Hanger Farm site, should be given outline approval, the Committee agreed, though

Cllr Miss Gwen Rickus, in opposing it, declared: “This is a form of social engineering which I think this Council will come to regret. This is a mistake and I want to vote against it.”