Amport Parish Council

Caroline Unwin

THE January meeting of Amport Parish Council was chaired by the vice chairman, Cllr Charles Stephens, in the absence of the chairman. The following matters were discussed:

The Green: The moles have reappeared on The Green and the moleman will be asked to return to deal with them before the grass needs to be mown. The extra sections of grasscrete will be laid starting on 13 February. At the same time, the contractors will mend the broken play equipment.

The Fen: The dangerously overhanging trees have now been removed. Cllr Paul Cook has been in touch with Hampshire Wildlife Trust, regarding their biodiversity plan, and is receiving help and advice from them regarding improvements to the flora and fauna in this area. Grants may be available through the Section 106 scheme, and the Hawk Conservancy have also offered volunteers to come and do work there twice a year. Paul is also hoping that the rest of the village conservation area can be enhanced.

Footpaths: There are trees down across two of the parish footpaths and the landowners will be asked to remove them. Otherwise the paths are in a reasonable state, although obviously very muddy. Unfortunately, the Millennium Path has become very slippery where the grass was all killed off by spraying.

Highways: Despite repeated requests, Hampshire Highways have made no response regarding a number of potentially dangerous potholes in all the surrounding lanes, especially Wiremead Lane. The clerk will put a report on the county council’s potholes website identifying the risks.

The rut on the ditch side of the road across The Green is becoming quite dangerous but the parish council are planning to deal with this matter themselves. The problem is caused by vehicles, particularly the bus, trying to overtake parked cars when the children are coming out from school.

Georgia Woods: The council have received a reply to their letter to the Forestry Commission and have answered a number of questions regarding the continuing operations in this woodland area. They are awaiting the commission’s further response.

Solar park: The application for erecting solar arrays for a period of 25 years on a 22 acre site in Quarley was discussed. Although some Quarley villagers are unhappy about this development, the council felt that as the site was to be managed according to government guidelines they were not in a position to object. It had already been approved by Test Valley Borough Council. The two villages will receive a compensation fee.

Fetes on The Green: The local scout group will be holding their annual fete on 21 June. The date for the village fete this year is 11 July.

Next meeting: The next council meeting will be held on 16 February in the school starting at 7.45pm.