We are concerned that both the East Pallant and the Bear Hotel car parks are included in the Draft Local Plan to 2036 as sites for residential development. Objections from the Civic Society, The Spring and St Faith’s Church about the impact of this have not yet altered the Council’s thinking.
These car parks are heavily used by older and disabled people, as they are close to the historic town centre. Families also use the car parks, as they are near to Fairfield and Glenhurst schools and the Pallant Family Café. Other users include visitors to the Pallant Centre, the Gazebo Garden, The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre, St Faiths and The United Reformed Churches. They also support the three dental practices in East Street and the one in Prince George Street, as well as the many small businesses in the nearby town centre streets, who rely on them for parking, both for staff and customers.
Havant Borough Council owns the East Pallant Car Park, which they compulsory purchased for use as a car park many years ago. The Council do not seem to appreciate how vital this car park is for the prosperity of the town centre. This proposal feels like planning at its worst.
What can you do?
Please email or write to the councillors for St Faith’s ward and also your own ward councillor, if you do not live in this ward and express your concerns. There is still time to get this site taken out of the Local Plan.
Write to your ward councillor at: The Public Service Plaza, Civic Centre Road, Havant, P09 2AZ, or email them at: jackie.branson@havant.gov.uk , tim.pike@havant.gov.uk , david.guest@havant.gov.uk
Havant Civic Society 