Micheldever News
Kings Stores
The shop is going from strength to strength, and the Kings Stores are open from early until 8pm weekdays and in the morning until 1pm on Sundays.
Please use the shop- the Kings are making a real effort to provide what you want.
My Micheldever survey revealed several ideas including a coffee meeting place, and a taxi service! I have passed these onto the King family but why not pop in- buy something- and pass on your ideas as you think of them?
The post office is committed to returning- so please make the shop your number one stop even before they arrive.
Rook Lane Development
Rook Lane development funding on its way to the village at last! After WCC cock up with the legal papers after the application, legal issues were taken up by Jackie and £10K will be handed over when the village has firm plans for the money.
Micheldever Station Bridge
Sat Nav Insanity strikes again as big lorries continue their attempts to cross . Sue Bell, local resident has lost count of the number of times that very large vehicles have had to reverse back down the road. Despite new signs warning vehicles, there is still a stronger tie to the Sat Nav. And lorries get stuck. Jackie and Parish Councils across the division are calling for weight bans on a number of roads to prevent destruction to roads, verges and in this case the bridge. ‘The work done by Jackie has at least stopped the bridge being damaged as it was before’ said Sue’ but we want stronger action by HCC to stop them coming here in the first place.’
New parking at Micheldever Station
Micheldever
Station car park has
now been extended with
new security provision
too.
Jackie joined Mark Oaten
to open the new spaces
officially on Monday
February 23rd.
They are pictured here
with Phil Dominey and
Dave Goudoin from South
West Trains, and the
station master.
Although the car park
is more expensive now
the lighting and security
measures will make it safer for
users - something which
was highlighted when
we talked to commuters.
Hopefully it will stop
on street parking which
will be fairer for
residents and of course greener, encouraging
train travel.
Forest Holidays
Is it an eco holiday
or just a 500 bed hotel
foisted on the countryside?
In my survey in March
2008, you had mixed
views, but the planned
development of holiday
chalets is much larger
now.
Jackie joined Sue
Bell in Black Wood
recently on the deadline
day for representations
to Winchester City
Council for the Black
Wood Forest Holidays
Application, (09/00186/FUL)
Jackie has listened to
local residents and objected
on:
- the size of the development - 130 chalets
- the isolation of the proposa l- cut off by trunk roads, it is difficult to cycle out with families
- the increased road use on Larkwhistle Farm Road, which is already busy with local industrial and commercial traffic
- and of course the potential damage to the environment when they are building the site, and servicing it afterwards.
'You feel quite remote when you are walking in the wood' says Jackie, ' but it definitely won't feel the same with 130 chalets in it!'
The green credentials
and possible domestic
jobs make it sound
very attractive
but there are drawbacks
because of its
isolated position.
Without the eco bling,
ultimately it's just
a 500 bed development
in a small forest.
Sound familar?
Lunways Inn site
Representatives from the Gospel Hall Trust are holding a meeting at Itchen Abbas Village Hall at 7.30pm on Friday 13th February to show possible designs so you say which you prefer. All welcome.
Post Office
Post office delay as Micheldever waits for BT to provide a line. But says Jackie, the PO are very committed to providing Post Office services here. Please continue to support your local Post office, whichever you use. Kings stores are now open. PO committed to providing a service here but it won't be in place until late summer. Meanwhile please support your local shop - open everyday.
The Back Road
The Back Road will be resurfaced this year, after being delayed due to the tipping site.. Fellow Councillor Charlotte Bailey and Jackie walked the road with HCC officer in Jan 2009 to identify formal passing places, serious breakdowns in the surface, and places where the ‘old road ‘ width needs to be restored. All residents want to see this road restored back to pre- Drove tipping size ‘says Jackie, ‘so we have asked HCC to achieve this in the extensive works there this Summer It will necessitate road closures but hopefully the finished result wil be worth it.’
New Day Nursery
Sutton Scotney to get its own Day Nursery in Stockbridge Road. Mary Moulds Nursery in Kings Worthy has been an enormous success, and this one is set to do the same. There is a real demand for good quality child care in this area, more information to follow.
‘Affordable housing in Micheldever Station not affordable’
Jackie is disappointed that homes in Mill Place remain empty. She says’ Shared equity seems a good idea when the property market is booming, but there are local people who need affordable rented homes, and can’t afford the cost of a share in a flat, or the investment in property at these difficult times.
I asked WCC to do something about this in Micheldever Station, but Conservative controlled Winchester Council won’t do anything to sort this out for local people who need a home.’
So far this year WCC has built just 19 affordable homes in the Winchester District - and the waiting list has risen to over 3000 people.
Liberal Democrats want the Govt to allow Local Councils to be able to build Council owned homes again, especially in rural areas, and not be dependent on the goodwill of Housing Associations.
Bus Routes must be kept clear
‘ Bus Routes must be kept clear' says Mervyn. After a windscreen was cracked, Jackie has arranged for the Highways Director to go out with Mervyn to see for himself the problems that overhamging branches can cause for large vehicles. Jackie pressed for action last year and trunk routes were cut back extensively in 2008, but Mervyn is contracted for the smaller rural routes, which, he says, urgently need attention too
Seeking better access for bikes and buggies at the station
Jackie keeps asking for Stagecoach to sort out a better way to reach the platforms - the steps are just too daunting for anyone with a mobility problem or a mum with a buggy. Once you are on the train there’s no problem. Buses have to deal with access issues- but we haven’t a bus here. With a new franchise, and a busy line, the train company needs to step up to its obligations to improve this station for the 21st century.
Funds for Toddler move to Micheldever - a cheque and a smile!
County Councillors have a small pot of money to spend very locally to make life easier for small organisations. Jackie was pleased that the Toddler group is so settled in their new home at Micheldever Station. Local users and residents have worked so hard to welcome the toddlers into their village. A special thanks to Sue Bell and her committee who spruced up Warren Hall- the huge tyre sand pit is an inspiration!
Turning 30 at Micheldever Station
Meetings have taken place with the HCC consultants and Local Parish Councillor, John Botham at Micheldever Station, and a plan agreed. Jackie has written in support of the scheme, using the evidence of your returned surveys earlier this year.
Next step is for the Parish Council to see the final plans which include 30mph alongside houses in Andover, Larkwhistle and Overton Roads.
Then the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) is advertised and if it all goes to plan the village will be Turning 30 in March 09.
Micheldever houses built now but still no money from developers for safer routes to school.
After a last minute change by WCC, the City Council agreed that the houses behind Church Street could be developed if a footway build-out was constructed at the end of Rook Lane. It wasn’t wanted by residents living nearby, so we worked with officers to negotiate a cash sum for the village as part of ’safer routes to school’.
The agreement was to sort this out before the first house is occupied, but still no occupation, so no money yet. Jackie says- I am rather afraid the developer’s leaving it until the last minute: he is in breach of planning permission if this isn’t sorted out with WCC before anyone moves in.
