Repairs completed

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Regular readers will note that I and County Councillor Robin Hughes have been chasing Hampshire Highways to repair potholes throughout Alamein ward. We can report that the stretch of Cricketers Way leading to Tesco and the health centre has finally been repaired. New road signs have also been installed on Cricketers Way, Smannell Road and Swallowfields.

 We will continue to chase for repairs to be carried out and to get a fair deal for Andover. Local council tax payers pay for this work and too often have to wait far too long for it to be done. If you know of any other areas needing repairs let us know.

More shops for Andover

George Yard proposals
Andover’s town centre could look very different in ten years’ time, with a new public square, wide pedestrian avenues and views of landmark buildings around the town.

A recent council report has identified the area around George Yard, Union Street and Black Swan Yard which would meet the requirements for development which is close to the town centre and which also has space for adequate car parking. The council has appointed consultants to advise on the feasibility of the scheme. 

Residents can see an exhibition of the ideas on display in the Upper Guildhall on Saturday 22, Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 November. The exhibition will take place alongside the Borough’s presentation of the revised Core Strategy which described the latest proposals for development across Test Valley over the next 20 years.

This is a very exciting and long overdue proposal. The public have been telling us for some time that Andover town centre needs upgrading and that we must bring more shops into the town preferably a major retailer and a department store. Councillors have looked at the options and we believe this development will meet the town’s needs. We have not yet, however, made any decision and I urge all residents to look at the plans and tell us what you think. This is your town and it must be developed the way you want.

Councillors reject fluoride

Test Valley Borough Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee has voted to oppose addition of fluoride to the borough’s water supply.

Over the past month the committee has considered submissions from the strategic health authority, local dentists, supporters and opponents of the proposals. This included a special meeting devoted to receiving evidence from both sides of the argument

The committee’s recommendation is as follows

“Having weighed up the evidence presented, this Committee remains unconvinced of the health benefits of fluoridation of public drinking water and therefore recommends to full council that it does not endorse additional fluoridation of the borough’s water supply until such time as evidence of the positive health benefits is produced. The Committee is in favour of using the resources in a more targeted way to improve the dental health of those who would benefit most.”

The recommendation will be considered by the full council at its meeting on November 13th.

As a member of the committee I support of the recommendation. The committee has considered the proposals in detail and found the arguments on both sides to be inconclusive. Low levels of fluoride may have been shown to improve dental health, but there is no clear evidence that addition of fluoride to drinking water is effective or necessary. It is, therefore, inappropriate for us to support addition of fluoride to local water supplies. The resources should be diverted to more cost effective health care initiatives.

MEP backs community use for Guildhall

I received today the following letter from the office of Sharon Bowles MEP. Sharon has joined local Lib Dems and other campaigners in calling for Test Valley Borough Council to reconsider their short sighted decision to let the lower Guildhall to a pizza restaurant.

“It is often a problem to balance commercial interests, and associated jobs, with cultural and other community concerns. As a member of the European Parliament’s Economic Committee I often have to adopt a ‘hard headed’ approach. However, as a member of that committee wrestling with the current financial crisis, it does seem that local communities and community resources will be a high priority to see us through the threatened recession.”

“Andover’s Guildhall is an important community resource. For years charities, community groups and local traders have utilised the facilities of this impressive building.”

“It may be true that some jobs will be created if the Guildhall becomes a Pizza restaurant, but at what cost to local trade and support? At a time like this community resources are needed more than ever. The council should put effort into preserving existing jobs and small businesses and make use of the many empty shop units. This outweighs the creation of a few new jobs which may themselves become questionable as budgets tighten.”

“It also seems that by accepting the plan, the Council are breaking their own policy. Policy ESN 19 of the Test Valley Local Plan provides for the retention of local community facilities and the rejection of development proposals which result in their loss. Is this not the case here, even without the current economic argument?”

“I hope that Test Valley Council listen to their local community, think again and retain Andover Guildhall as a community resource.”

Sharon Bowles MEP          

Tree Preservation orders for Enham

Trees on Newbury Road

Several more tree preservation orders have been served on trees and woodland in Enham Alamein. This is the next stage of a survey of all of the trees in the village which I requested in April of last year.

The first series of TPOs covered the memorial trees on Newbury Road. This latest series is in two parts. The first covers trees along Newbury Road in front of the factory, in and around Landale Close and around Dunhills Lane and Greenfields. The second order covers hedges and trees around the playing fields on Knightsbridge Road and along the cinder path.

This does not mean the trees cannot be cut or removed but does mean that any works cannot be carried out without first applying for planning permission

 If anyone would like further details please contact me.

Speed restriction on Newbury Road

Knights Enham School

Test Valley Borough Council is to introduce a temporary 30 mph speed limit on the northbound carriageway of Newbury Road to allow for works in connection with access to Knights Enham School.

The limit will apply to the northbound carriageway only from a point 20 metres north of its junction with King Arthur’s Way to a point 350 metres further north. A 30mph limit will apply from Monday 20th October 2008 for a period of 6 months or until completion of the works whichever is sooner. It is expected that the limit will only be required for 4 months.

Prezzo gets approval

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At last night’s Northern Area Planning Committee the application to convert Andover’s lower Guildhall into a Pizza restaurant was approved. The plans now have to be referred to the Secretary of State before the changeover can go ahead.

I am disappointed with this decision. The objectors from STAG raised real questions about the validity of the application. The council’s response was muddled and unconvincing. It failed to prove it had followed its own guidelines by seeking to maintain the Guildhall for community use. It could not explain the so-called financial losses cited to justify the decision and it relied on the provision of a substandard alternative as a reason for a clear breach in policy.

I was particularly annoyed to hear some councillors calling for a vote without even waiting to listen to the end of the debate. Andover deserves better than this.

Also of some concern was the claim by some members of the committee that another restaurant in Andover would bring in more business and enliven the town’s economy. My own discussions with local restauranteurs suggest that in the current economic climate there is insufficient business for exisiting restraurants. Any new one would only take clients away from them and could lead to one or more of them folding. I hope this is not the case the council should be protecting local businesses not undermining them.

The measure of a civilised society is how well it cares for its heritage, its local businesses and its minorities. The ruling group on Test Valley borough council have ignored this in the pursuit of short term financial gain. Andover Lib Dems will continue to oppose this short sightedness and work for a fair deal for Andover.

East Anton MDA update

At the East Anton development

Local residents have been asking for an update on works at East Anton. Today a letter from me and county councillor Robin Hughes will be delivered to all homes in the area. The text of the letter is as follows

“As part of our commitment to keep you informed we will be issuing regular newsletters on the progress of the development and how it affects you. At present the developers have outline planning permission only which means they cannot yet start building houses but can start on the infrastructure of the area. House building on the southern end of the site will start when Test Valley approves the detailed plans later this year.

Southern Water contractors have now finished water main work to serve the MDA at the Smannell Road open space. We have contacted council officers about the poor quality of the re-instatement of the field and this will be repaired by council staff.

 Contractors are currently working on the roads within the site and work on the first roundabout access opposite Venice Court will start on 13th October. All local residents will be notified and signs will be erected along Icknield Way advising of the works. Once building does start landscaping and tree planting to screen the site will also start.

If you have any queries regarding these works please contact us.

Askalot celebrates first birthday

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Askalot Community Shop on King Arthurs Way  will be celebrating its first birthday on 18th October. To celebrate the success of its first year, Askalot will be hosting an afternoon of activities which includes face painting, balloon sculpting, book stall and more. A number of agency staff will also be on hand to provide advice on a wide range of topics Activities will be held at the shop from  12:00-3:00pm.

It will also be an opportunity for members of the public to meet Petra, the new Askalot Project Co-ordinator, who is based in the shop Monday to Thursday 9.30 -2:00pm.

For more information, please contact Petra on 01264 358443.