Residents to be consulted on regeneration scheme for Stanmore (From Andover Advertiser)
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Residents to be consulted on regeneration scheme for Stanmore
6:00pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in Winchester
By Rachel Masker
The New Queens Head: could be replaced by new community centre
BOLD regeneration plans for one of Winchester’s council housing estates are moving forward.
Residents will get a chance to comment on a scheme to revamp Stanmore after its official launch at Winchester Town Forum on Thursday, March 21.
A month-long public consultation will include exhibitions where residents can join planning consultants, council officers and civic leaders, to discuss ways to improve the estate.
Venues and dates for the public consultation starting on Monday, March 25, still have to be decided.
Winchester city councillor Jamie Scott, who has lived all his life in Stanmore, chaired a steering group which worked with consultants Broadway Malyan, commissioned to draw up a planning
framework or masterplan.
The Tory councillor and former community worker said: “The whole objective is to create a better future for the residents of Stanmore which I am proud to be part of.”
As exclusively revealed in the Hampshire Chronicle last week, consultants commissioned by the city
council suggested the estate has space to build 413 new affordable homes over the next 10 to 15 years.
There are also proposals to tackle run down parks and public spaces, as well as improving footpaths and parking.
Central to the scheme is the creation of a new community centre on the site of the former New Queens Head pub in Stanmore Lane, which the city council wants to buy.
One proposal is to move the Carroll Centre, 8th Winchester Scouts Hut, and Stanmore and District
Community Centre in Somers Close, to a modern multi-use building on the cleared pub site.
New homes could then be built on land vacated by the three buildings and part of the playing field off Somers Close, as part of the council’s new house building programme.
The Chronicle obtained a copy of the consultants’ draft planning framework which suggested locations including 30 new homes in Somers Close, and 200 fronting Wavell Way.
The scheme could see existing properties knocked down and garages relocated to make way for more new homes as well as loss of some green space and allotments.
It is not yet known the number of existing properties that could be demolished under the proposals.
The consultants’ draft report suggested 77, but there was a mistake and the figure should
have been 49.
Council officers say they will contact residents in homes and streets directly affected by the scheme
before the start of the public consultation.Council officers are currently assessing the scheme’s feasibility and the final proposals to be consulted upon could change.
Eloise Appleby, assistant director of economy and communities at the city council, said playing fields were strictly protected under planning policy, and any loss had to be compensated.
“We want to get more people in Stanmore active so taking away opportunities to exercise and have
fun is not one of our objectives but to enhance life here. Green space has all sorts of important roles for people in Stanmore. We want to protect that but that does not mean putting up a fence around every bit.
"Any good plan has some degree of compromise and negotiation to get the best outcomes for everyone.”
Stanmore has been admired for its garden suburb-style and fine views. But the estate has changed
over the years as council homes have been sold-off under Right to Buy.
Today, nearly 20 per cent of homes are in multiple occupation, including rented student housing. Locals have complained this has led to problems such as bins left on streets, unkept gardens, noise and lack of parking.
Comments(12)
lozj83
says...
8:46am Fri 8 Mar 13
It is bad enough being a young professional couple trying to get on the property ladder whilst renting in Winchester - and now somewhere in which my husband and I have been born and raised are being pushed out to find more suitable housing. It is such a shame that Stanmore has lost is community spirit it once had - to noisy, over crowded parking, and uncaring students that move on within 9 months.
It devalues the whole area which is such a shame.
It would be horrible to see the green land we walk the dogs on - go to building development. A once rural city with beautiful surroundings will just turn into another commuter town catering for those with second houses and student accommodation.
Yves1977
says...
10:58am Fri 8 Mar 13
wheresthemoneygone
says...
1:49pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Is this the representative Stanmore need to represent the Community?
What other little tricks Has Jamie got up his sleeve that are for the good of the Community (himself)?
iantait
says...
8:43am Sat 9 Mar 13
The problem with the right to buy may have more to do with the use of the sale proceeds which until very recently were not available to be re-invested in new Council homes although Winchester is now doing just that - building Council homes again.
Regarding wheresthemoneygone's comments about Jamie Scott then perhaps they need to walk round Stanmore with the said Councillor and they will realise that he knows virtually every resident and there is no one more passionate and proud about the area than him. Any development in Sommers Close will leave virtually all the open space intact and at the moment these are only suggestions which will be fully discussed with the community.
wheresthemoneygone
says...
2:30pm Sat 9 Mar 13
biased,selective and political.Mere sophistry sir.
Good points by Yves1977 but looking backwards isn't going to protect Somers Close Playing Field now (note the correct spelling Ian.My family and I live in Stanmore - where do you live and why are you responding for Jamie Scott?).
Jamie may know some residents - so what? He should - he's their representative and seeks to do this for his own benefit as well as the community.It's called canvassing.It's what politicians do, to get votes, obtain power and make some decisions to wreck people's lives whilst making personal gains in the meantime.
Jamie doesn't live in this part of Stanmore - are there plans afoot to redevelop Lower Stanmore for the good of the Community? What about the allotments in Cromwell Road - has Jamie got anything to say about those or is everything hush hush at the moment?
Politicians like Ian Tait and Jamie Scott need to stand up and protect the diminishing green spaces instead of negotiating away their existence.
Co-incidentally, I note local councillors are to refuse planning permission for the demolition of a country pub near Bishop's Waltham - development of just three houses because it would, "be intrusive and visually damaging (there isn't a spectacular view from the Hants Chron. photo!) - and - "the proposals failed to provide adequate recreation space for residents."
So eight local resident letters prompted this planning rejection - How? Why?
Obviously we need to start writing.In the very least this may induce a bit of consistency across Council policy in all areas of the county not just nice views and open spaces for 'more influential areas'.
I'm making serious points for somebody interested in the well being of Stanmore residents and I don't have any political axes to grind or agendas to pursue.
Just look at a map of Stanmore - if the allotment and playing fields are taken for housing development or seriously encroached upon there will only be a very small area left or perhaps none at all.The politicians need to be stopped now because they don't care enough about a holistic view of the real issues affecting the community.Politics commits them to external and self-motivated interests.This kind of behaviour is just another example of this.
iantait
says...
6:10pm Sat 9 Mar 13
There is a bigger question about housing numbers across Winchester & I voted for BF because this seemed the only practical ways of delivering any meaningful number of new affordable homes. I made it clear to people where I stood so at least they could decide who to vote for on the facts. How sad it is to listen to other councillors who actually support BF but were afraid to be seen to openly vote for it.
Growing up in Cheriton Road I saw all the land above the old County High School turned into houses (The Poets development) or the playing fields or the newish Western School. The old West Downs playing fields were turned into a housing estate along with Walnut Grove and the land along the Stockbridge so I have witnessed hundreds of houses being built.
Winchester_Citizen
says...
2:08pm Mon 11 Mar 13
However I am curious to see if the want to build property on the football fields and free space around Kings crescent. Or is that too close to where the councillor lives?
wheresthemoneygone
says...
10:29am Tue 12 Mar 13
As for being rational: It's all rational Ian Tait because it's all true I'm a resident and you are a politician that once lived in Cheriton Road - that's the reality of the situation.I care about the place and the people in Stanmore and you don't that's also true.Saying that Jamie Scott isn't able to live in a mobile home in all of the streets, is definitely not rational.He can however speak for himself as I'm sure he will be from now on.Are you going to be by his side then?
In this instance Ian has illustrated that obviously politicians see things purely in pragmatic and selfish terms regardless of what a community really needs and wants and despite the fact that they may live in the area.
If we are going to take democracy seriously all of the residents in the community have to be actively consulted about ideas affecting their community before any initial practical steps are taken.Not by paying lip service to council and legal procedure whilst the decision has already been made behind closed doors.
Yves1977
says...
1:19pm Tue 12 Mar 13
wheresthemoneygone wrote:I hold no candle for Ian Tait but your criticism of him is childish. What does it matter where he lives? We elect city councillors and county councillors and MPs to take an overview and what Winchester (not just Stanmore) "really needs". Are you saying that only people in Stanmore should decide Stanmore issues? What about saying only people living in Cromwell Road should decide Cromwell Rd issues? Ian Tait and WCC are grasping the nettle and at last building council houses again after 20+ years.
I'm still not sure why Ian Tait is commenting on Stanmore matters - he still doesn't enlighten us? Ian lived in Cheriton Road where does he live now?
As for being rational: It's all rational Ian Tait because it's all true I'm a resident and you are a politician that once lived in Cheriton Road - that's the reality of the situation.I care about the place and the people in Stanmore and you don't that's also true.Saying that Jamie Scott isn't able to live in a mobile home in all of the streets, is definitely not rational.He can however speak for himself as I'm sure he will be from now on.Are you going to be by his side then?
In this instance Ian has illustrated that obviously politicians see things purely in pragmatic and selfish terms regardless of what a community really needs and wants and despite the fact that they may live in the area.
If we are going to take democracy seriously all of the residents in the community have to be actively consulted about ideas affecting their community before any initial practical steps are taken.Not by paying lip service to council and legal procedure whilst the decision has already been made behind closed doors.
wheresthemoneygone
says...
11:33am Wed 13 Mar 13
Of course local residents should determine what goes on in their community - you obviously don't like people having their democratic say.Are you saying that local residents shouldn't comment or act upon their local community? (Let's have some joined up thinking please).Plainly that is what this site is for and why hundreds of other residents band together to try and direct sensible decisions from self-interested local councillors and politicians, just read the report and comments about the new Westgate School proposals, etc.
Yves1977
says...
2:50pm Wed 13 Mar 13
wheresthemoneygone wrote:The only self-interested person is you, trying to preserve every blade of grass on Stanmore. Yes local residents should have a say in what goes on. But they do it by electing city councillors who then have to take an overview of what is best for the district as a whole ie from Micheldever to Southwick. If it was left to the residents of Stanmore, nothing would be developed, likewise with Abbotts Barton and Barton Farm. There would be no new house-building anywhere and the waiting lists would grow and grow.
Yves1977, this isn't childish - your comment is disingenuous and your attitude is authoritarian.You plainly don't have the passion that I do. Ian Tait said 'irrational' and now your trying 'childish'. It's clearly not irrational or childish to want a community to retain such green space for children and adults to enjoy - otherwise it will be lost forever.This is very important.This matter is very serious and mustn't be dismissed by a self-interested politician or a reactionary, provocateur and naysayer - neither of who show any close affiliation to Stanmore or this area in particular.I think they've a great deal in common with each other.
Of course local residents should determine what goes on in their community - you obviously don't like people having their democratic say.Are you saying that local residents shouldn't comment or act upon their local community? (Let's have some joined up thinking please).Plainly that is what this site is for and why hundreds of other residents band together to try and direct sensible decisions from self-interested local councillors and politicians, just read the report and comments about the new Westgate School proposals, etc.
We are in this mess now because councillors neglected to grasp this nettle for decades.
wheresthemoneygone says...
1:31pm Thu 7 Mar 13
I used to play in the playing fields at Montgomery Secondary School (now King's School) - now most of that is built on.
I used to watch Winchester City play football at Airlie Road - now that's built on.
I used to play on Stanmore's Somer's Close playing fields - some of that was taken away and now they plan to take most of the rest away.
I wonder where Eloise Applebury lives or would like to live - somewhere where there are only residential properties and no greenery or playing fields for the children, citizenry - the local community?
Come off it - nobody wants to live in a place like that - this simply decreases the quality of life further still.A council that actually cared would realise this.
Build new houses if you have to but ban the 'right to buy' council houses first and find appropriate places like Olivers' Battery, where there's masses of space to build, - without destroying perfectly good communities of those can't answer back so easily.
And yes, do put a fence around green spaces quickly to protect them because all the councils and individual members want to do is flog off the land irrespective of council tenants real needs and pocket whatever nice little earner or personal prospects have been made available or negotiated.
Shame on you Eloise Applebury, Jamie Scott and Winchester City Council for your utter hypocrisy.Citizens that can't answer back and community green spaces are too easy a target for greedy politicians.Stop them in their tracks - Save Stanmore Playing Fields.