Housing for Hordle group to contact Michael Gove over Everton Road home after meeting with Sir Desmond Swayne
THE founder of a campaign group demanding “appropriate” housing for Hordle has written to communities minister Michael Gove after a “disappointing” meeting with MP Sir Desmond Swayne.
As reported, former Hordle parish councillor Ivor Spreadbury was so upset by NFDC’s decision to grant permission for 97 new homes on Everton Road, he quit the parish council and vowed to start his own group campaigning for better housing solutions.
Mr Spreadbury recently met with New Forest West MP Sir Desmond, and said he was “surprised” to discover the meeting was also attended by senior NFDC representatives, Hampshire county councillor Michael Thierry and NFDC’s cabinet member for housing Cllr Edward Heron.
“The meeting with Desmond Swayne was very disappointing,” he told the A&T. “His view was basically that he wouldn’t get involved in a difference of opinion between the district council and the parish council.
“The whole discussion was very negative and it was clear that it wasn’t getting anywhere. I spoke about the felling of protected oak trees as part of the housing scheme for Everton Road, and the attitude seemed to be ‘they can just plant some more’.”
The Bargate Homes scheme received permission from NFDC’s planning committee in December, despite being opposed by the parish council, local district councillors and more than 80 residents.
Mr Speadbury said those present at the meeting with Sir Desmond also rubbished suggestions that Everton Road was an accident black spot, and said the parish council should have worked harder to assert this claim.
“They said it was the parish council’s word against everyone else’s,” he said.
However, Mr Speadbury revealed that since quitting the parish council in December, he had been contacted by many villagers who are keen to join his campaign for better village housing.
“The campaign is really gathering momentum,” he said. “We are planning to post leaflets out to every house in the village within the next couple of weeks and then we will look at setting a date for the public meeting.
“Desmond told me I was wasting my time contacting Michael Gove – but we have written directly to him and asked him to attend. If he can’t make it maybe he will send one of his team.
“No one in Hordle is against housing, but the scale and size of developments has to be appropriate for the village. It is the sheer numbers that Hordle can’t cope with – it’s a simple equation really.”
Sir Desmond told the A&T: “A number of constituents raise planning and housing issues with me that are not parliamentary matters over which I have leverage, but are properly the responsibility of their elected district council. I pass on their concerns to councillors.”
To contact Mr Speadbury, email i.spreadbury@sky.com or call 01425 615605.