The urgent need for the Planning Committee to challenge unsound planning applications

Perhaps the headline should read, 'The urgent need for HBC Planning Services to properly qualify planning applications submitted for validation'. The amount of time wasted by elected representatives and the general public, attempting to clear up the mess caused by inadequate qualification at the pre-planning stage, is significant. The amount of time wasted by the … Continue reading The urgent need for the Planning Committee to challenge unsound planning applications

Havant’s town centre traffic gears up for another surge

The planning application at the former Dunham Bush manufacturing site is shortly up for approval by the HBC Planning Committee. The development will further strain the profile of traffic generated by the Havant North industrial estate without providing the quality and security of employment that the residents of the borough need. It is worth taking … Continue reading Havant’s town centre traffic gears up for another surge

HBC Community Involvement… and the Local Plan

Advance notice of an HCS Public Forum to be held in late March 2025 We’re pleased to report that Havant Borough Council’s Chief Executive, Steve Jorden, and Cllr. Phil Munday, the elected Leader of the Council, will be joining the HCS Committee at a Public Forum which we are planning to hold at St. Faith’s … Continue reading HBC Community Involvement… and the Local Plan

Amazon DPO1 – Another traffic ‘incident’

Early this morning, right outside the NHS Elmleigh Hospital, New Lane was completely blocked by a stranded Amazon 'line-haul' truck. With its trailer parked right across the road and its driving wheels embedded in what used to be a grass verge, it wasn't going anywhere without some serious haulage heft. Meanwhile, the grass verges on … Continue reading Amazon DPO1 – Another traffic ‘incident’

A Democratic Deficit?

We have already published what will undoubtedly be but the opening salvo in HCS’s deliberations over the Government’s English Devolution White Paper. While the intention to devolve some central government powers to regional authorities led by Mayors was included in the Labour Party manifesto for the recent general election, further local government reorganisation was not. … Continue reading A Democratic Deficit?

First full Council meeting of the year – 15 January 2025

This account of the first Full Council meeting of the year is of particular interest given the curious reluctance of the council to engage with the public on the subject of Devolution and, more particularly, Local Government Reorganisation. It wasn't even on the agenda of this Council meeting and the Leader's update to his report, … Continue reading First full Council meeting of the year – 15 January 2025

Breaking the silence on Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

On 16 December, the government published its English Devolution White Paper which, at a stroke, called time on both Havant Borough Council (HBC) and Hampshire County Council (HCC) as we know them today. It is quite clear now that both authorities have been locked in discussion on this particular commitment in the Labour Manifesto since … Continue reading Breaking the silence on Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

After a bright year in 2024, the outlook for 2025 is worrying

Looking back at 2024 We began last year with a newly established Havant Borough Council executive team in place.  After five years of stagnation, characterised by a lack of engagement from the previous East Hants District Council executive team and a tired elected council that appeared to rubber-stamp, unchallenged, questionable initiatives by its cabinet, the … Continue reading After a bright year in 2024, the outlook for 2025 is worrying

HBC takes enforcement action over the Golden Slots

We're pleased to see that Havant Borough Council's Lead Enforcement Officer has slapped a Temporary Stop Notice on the former White Hart on the corner of of North Street and East Street. The external state of the building has deteriorated significantly over the past year and we welcome this action by Planning Services. The former … Continue reading HBC takes enforcement action over the Golden Slots

Portsmouth Water’s ‘new HQ’ planning application nears decision after five years

If you're a patient, or the carer for a patient of the Bosmere Medical Practice in Solent Road, the post below applies to YOU. Photo - courtesy Ann Buckley In the past few days, many of you will have received a copy of the first letter shown below. It is a letter from HBC Planning … Continue reading Portsmouth Water’s ‘new HQ’ planning application nears decision after five years