Liberal Democrat Councillors have reported 250 potholes and similar faults in Basingstoke & Deane to the County Council following a quick survey in the wards they represent.  Several of the worst cases have been patched since these surveys were done.      

Whitchurch Councillor Keith Watts said “It is estimated that there is a pothole every 120 yards in Hampshire.  Some are so large that they could damage car tyres or cause motorcyclists to lose control.  Skimping on roads is a false economy, we all end up paying more in car repairs, insurance premiums and the cost of accidents”

Former Town Mayor Roy Smith has written to the Town Clerk saying “now that the newly built house in The Knowlings is nearing completion, I hope it will be possible for the Planning Committee members who agreed to its development to view a building that (literally) sticks out like a sore thumb and has devalued what was a well designed estate.  Every other house in The Knowlings is well set back from the pavement, this one is as close to the pavement as it is possible to build.

“Since it would seem that the development of new properties in sympathy with its surroundings is not a part of Planning, the residents of Whitchurch should be extremely worried about future development in the town and its lasting effects on future generations.”

Borough Councillor Keith Watts commented “This decision was not made by elected Members,about 240 planning applications each month are settled by Planning Officers.  Anyone concerned about a planning proposal should contact Eric Dunlop or me*, we have the authority to take the decision to a Committee of Councillors who will listen to objections from the public.

*Click on ‘Contact Keith Watts’ on the left of this page.

Local Liberal Democrats have announced that Whitchurch Councillor Keith Watts will defend his seat in the Basingstoke & Deane election on Thursday 6 May. Keith has served Whitchurch on the Borough Council since 2007.

Keith and his wife, Jean, have lived in Whitchurch for 19 years.  Since retiring they have both worked as volunteers in several  local organisations. They are parents and grandparents.

On the Borough Council, Keith has been deeply involved in planning the future of the area, resisting proposals for large scale housing development to be ‘dispersed’ from Basingstoke to small communities like Whitchurch while pressing for sufficient homes to be provided to meet the needs of local people. This year the Council will agree a ‘Core Strategy’ for development up to the year 2026.

“It is vital that Whitchurch continues to be represented by someone who understands the long term planning issues and has the strength of purpose to oppose over-development of this little Town” Keith says, “I will carry on my fight to limit house building here to what is needed for the natural growth in population”.

The surrounds of the Gill Nethercott Centre will be landscaped in the next few weeks.  This area is a Site of Interest for Nature Conservation (SINC), particularly because Water Voles live there.  Water Voles are an endangered species of mammal.  The plan adopted before the Centre was opened three years ago had not worked and the area has been overgrown and untidy.

This month, March, will see the existing undergrowth cleared and replaced with a membrane covered in bark chips.  Osiers, a form of willow, will be planted on part of the site by early April.  Also in April, signs will be put up inside and outside the Gill Nethercott Community Hall giving information about the wildlife to be seen on the site.

Later, paths will be laid and a ‘hide’ built from which animals and birds visiting the area may be watched.  Evidence has been found of otters visiting the site and it is hoped to build an artificial otter holt to encourage them to breed here.

In May the frontage of the site will be laid out as a garden.

Borough Councillor Keith Watts said  “at last these grounds will be tidied up and made hospitable for wildlife and people alike.  Eric Dunlop and I have pressed for a change of plan for the past two years.  I am very pleased with the work that has been done by Borough Council experts on this new scheme.”

Whitchurch Councillor Keith Watts was unable to attend Monday’s Town Council meeting because he had to go to an Extraordinary Meeting of Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council.  Keith sent a written report to Whitchurch Town Council, which can be read here.

Whitchurch Borough Councillor Keith Watts reports to meetings of Whitchurch Town Council.  A copy of his report to the February 1st meeting is here.

Hurstbourne Priors Parish Council has written to object to a planning application by Vitacress Salads Limited for extensions to its works at Lower Link near St Mary Bourne.  Full details of the application can be seen on Basingstoke & Deane’s planning website (click here).

The application is for new intake and despatch bays, a covered and enclosed storage area and also a new agricultural and vehicle workshop following demolition of the existing workshop.

At their meeting on Wednesday 27 January the Parish Council heard a presentation by the Managing Director of Vitacress.  In response to questions he said that Vitacress would be willing to limit the hours of operation and the type of vehicles to be serviced in the Workshop.

Borough Councillor Keith Watts was at the meeting and has since written to Council planners proposing that, if planning consent is granted, there should be a condition restricting the use of the workshop to Vitacress owned vehicles and machinery and also restricting the hours of use of the workshop.

“I shall be bound to oppose this application at Committee if it is granting consent for Vitacress to trade commercially as a vehicle workshop” Keith said.

The owner of the Railway Hotel in Whitchurch intends to demolish the building and use the site as a commercial car park serving Whitchurch Station. 

Demolition has been deferred while the owner applies for planning permission.  This application will be only about the method of demolition, no permission is needed to demolish the building.  The method needs to be controlled because the pub is joined on to a house, 34 Station Road.

Basingstoke & Deane Licensing Panel has allowed the Charcoal Grill Pizza & Kebab shop (formerly Royal Pizza & Kebab) to open until half past midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. 

As reported below, Keith Watts attended the hearing to represent residents of the Town Centre opposed to this late opening.

 ”We are not against this business or its owners” Keith said “it is very popular in Whitchurch, all that we are opposing is the late night opening.  The people running the shop cannot be held responsible if any disorder happens in the street late at night.”.

 After the decision, Keith added that it was good to have cooperated with Bill Judge and other residents and business people on an issue.  “I hope that the new venture will be successful without any public disorder in the street outside as was feared”.

 Led by Whitchurch Mayor Vince Bradbury, organised by Mike Stead, a band of volunteers went out on to the streets on Sunday morning to clear snow and ice and put down sand.