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Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Councillor Evans (1st Jul 2013 - 18:18:32) FUTURE OF BOHUNT MANOR ESTATE PUBLIC MEETING. On Tuesday 9th July at 7.30 p.m. held at Liphook Millennium Centre. Organised by the Parish Council The Bramshott and Liphook Parish Council has organised a Public Meeting to enable local people to voice their questions and concerns about the development of this estate. With representatives present from Local Schools, Local Doctors Surgeries, South Downs National Park Authority, District Council and the Developer. We would value Your comments about this very Important potential development. Please come along. This is a real opportunity to shape the future of Your community. See also bohunt4liphook.co.uk scheme Talkback thread

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Jane Ives (3rd Jul 2013 - 08:03:18) I wanted to bump this one up to the top as it is so important. Please do put the date in your diary and come along to listen to or join in the debate. Many people attended the presentation by the developers and spoke to the Parish Councillors who were also there. Now's your chance to ask questions of all interested parties who are attending - including the developers - to ensure we get the Liphook we want for the future. Please also pass this information to friends/family who live in Liphook and may not read this website.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - liz (3rd Jul 2013 - 09:50:11) As long as high attendance will not be seen as automatic support for the proposals ... or it is not just a publicity exercise. (Remember Sainsbury's 'consultations' with the public?).

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - dawn (3rd Jul 2013 - 13:03:31) This is not being run by a developer for support. So there will be no positive or negative 'tag' attached to your attendance. The South Downs National Park will be there listening [but unable to comment on the application] as they too wish to hear the views of local people. As you know, The Parish Council set up a table in the foyer when the promoter of this development set out their stall. To our astonishment we found that most people had no idea of all the other major developments that already have permission granted. The Parish Council were asked by members of the public during the promoters exhibition to consult more widely - as not very many people [out of the 8,000 or so voters in the parish] attended. I repeat, this is not being run on anyone's behalf. It is an opportunity for you to ask questions directly about any issue you feel has not been answered. As the deciding authority is the South Downs National Park it is a very good way for them to gauge the strength of local feeling about this proposal. Please do your best to attend. Do not assume that your neighbour or friend will speak on your behalf [they may also have the same thought so neither of you will have your say!].

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Jane Ives (3rd Jul 2013 - 14:43:08) Liz To answer your question, this meeting is being organised by the Parish Council not by the developer. We want to hear your views about what is and isn't appropriate with regards to development in our village. We are very keen to hear the majority view so the more people that can come along the better. Jane

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - bdavies (3rd Jul 2013 - 15:44:50) Unfortunately I am away on business next week but I urge the Parish Council to make reference to the local plan which is being drawn up currently and whose compilation has taken a lot of the opinions of the Liphook survey into consideration. The concensus of opinion in the survey (which had a good return from more residents than will appear at this meeting) concluded appropriate and sustainable, small-scale housing development but NEVER on the scale that is being sought by recent multiple and large applications, some of which have somehow been approved. If Bohunt offers Liphook a better deal then fine, but then Losely farm or Silent Garden or OSU (or all three) must be retracted. WE CANNOT HAVE ALL OF THEM!

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Kat (3rd Jul 2013 - 15:51:11) Where is the agenda for this public meeting and who is chairing it. I cannot make the meeting so I hope there will be a comprehensive set of minutes, so we can see what has been discussed by our parish councillors and what members of the public and other organisations say.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - liz (3rd Jul 2013 - 16:30:13) Jane and Dawn Thank you for the clarification - I will do my best to attend.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - ellie (3rd Jul 2013 - 17:43:33) Dear Kat As far as I am aware it is a discussion forum. I have been delivered a leaflet and it is a forum not an official Parish Council meeting.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Kat (4th Jul 2013 - 19:59:00) Thanks very much Ellie. The posting by Councillor Evans is therefore rather confusing and not very helpful. In my opinion it is also very biased!!!

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Jeanette Kirby (6th Jul 2013 - 07:00:47) This is an extremely complex proposal, unlike any of the previous large scale housing proposals. A primary school, allotments, medical centre, football pitch are all entirely dependent on the developers getting permission for housing. They have stated that this will be in two phases and there are no indications of numbers. Developers are obliged to make financial contributions to infrastructure and education in any event. There are also no firm details of how much of these proposals are involved. Is it just land? Is it buildings? Bohunt is a greenfield site, agricultural land, part of the South Downs National Park and outside of Liphook's settlement boundary. The SDNP will have a housing quota to fill AND so does EHDC. Lowsley Farm, Silent Garden and OSU cannot be retracted. The developers have had their public consultation which is an obligation they have to fulfil. They do not have to take account of the public views, only to say that they have shown them the proposals. The Parish Council is not the planning authority and does not make final decisions on planning applications. EHDC and (in this case) the SDNP do. The Parish Council would be failing its residents if it did not give you the opportunity to question all of the relevant groups who have a part in this application. This ensures they remain unbiased. The flier being distributed gives residents the opportunity to read the comments posted on to the SDNP website. The Parish Council is bringing together those groups involved in the proposal, including the developer, so the people of Liphook have the opportunity to gain as much information as you can by asking searching questions. If you can't get to the meeting then send your questions to the Parish Council who will put them forward to the meeting. How can you make an informed decision or view unless you have all the facts?

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - SJenner (6th Jul 2013 - 12:21:09) There isn't much more to learn about this building at Bohunt - we are all aware of the desire by the owners to turn this area of the national park into a housing estate. We have all been exposed to the ruminations, the many threads on this site and Herald articles. We know the facts! There are dozens and dozens of opposing remarks and comments on the SDNP and EHDC planning sites; I hope that these will be taken into consideration as they are the opinions of many in the community. With the building at the poultry farm to add to the OSU, Silent Garden and Losely Farm the Bohunt proposal is one of three too many! It's been said before by people on Talback and I will repeat it. The Parish Council does represent Liphook and it should make representations to the planning authorities. In a South Today report last year about a building scheme near Northampton, involving Tesco and a large building company, the application was turned down BECAUSE THE PARISH COUNCIL WORKED TIRELESSLY TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WAS!

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - ellie (6th Jul 2013 - 14:05:00) thank you Jeanette for your further explanation. I believe Kat has an agenda of her own to pursue, as the posting by councillor Evans was neither biased nor confused, perhaps Kat was reading it in the Deers Hut at the time!

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Talia Slack (8th Jul 2013 - 16:42:50) Hello All I'm a journalist for BBC Radio Solent. I'm interested in speaking to all the parties involved in this ahead of tomorrow's public meeting. If anyone would like to call me on 07790485337 (please call any time between 8am and 9pm) I'd love to talk to you as I am interested in covering this story on our station. Or you can email me on talia.slack@bbc.co.uk Talia

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - dawn (9th Jul 2013 - 09:59:27) I am pleased that TV cameras are going to be there The prospect of being on the tele will make more people come. If more people come then more people will contribute and a better discussion can take place. Thank you BBC

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Eneida (9th Jul 2013 - 11:52:56) I thought Talia Slack was talking about a Radio Solent programme...and not a TV one ??

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - ellie (9th Jul 2013 - 11:58:42) I have heard today that the developers have sprayed the site with insecticide to kill wildlife. So much for Green village investments living up to their name. At least TV companies are interested! The herald have not reported the meeting at all.!

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Jane Ives (9th Jul 2013 - 12:02:59) Great news that the BBC have shown an interest. I hope lots of people turn up this evening so that a good debate can be had.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - chris (9th Jul 2013 - 14:43:09) What’s in a name? In advance of the meeting tonight I wanted to find out a bit more about the developer, Green Village Investments Limited. Any previous development history etc. Not much success other than to establish that GVI Ltd is registered in the British Virgin Islands no 677587 and is administered by a Lichtenstein Trust. Looking forward to a lively discussion this evening.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Jane Ives (9th Jul 2013 - 15:04:38) I think Dawn was referring to BBC South not the other posting by BBC Radio - they have expressed an interest in attending the meeting.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Councillor Rob Evans (10th Jul 2013 - 09:37:13) Many thanks to the hundreds of local people communicating their opinions and concerns about the development of this estate at last nights meeting. Also , many thanks to the representatives from Local Schools, South Downs National Park Authority, District Council ,the Developer and to the BBC South reporting on the item. It was a great example of local democracy working . The Parish Council need to ensure that the South Downs National Park Authority really take note of the will of local people about the future of the Bohunt Manor Estate that is within the South Downs National Park.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Valerie (10th Jul 2013 - 13:29:43) I do so agree with the last posting on this Thread. The B&L parish council need to use all their strength and resources to fight this one and lobby the SDNP all they can to stop this development.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - ellie (10th Jul 2013 - 16:13:19) I agree and it will help if the Herald reports on the meeting accurately, to reflect the depth of feeling against the development in the SDNP.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Alan (10th Jul 2013 - 16:44:47) It was interesting to hear on South Today that WWF (World Wildlife Fund) had built an 'overage' clause in the sale of the land to Mr Cox / the developers. This means that they will benefit if the land is ever developed, so they will actually have a great interest in this, as they will stand to receive a considerable payout if the houses are built. There has been a lot of 'twitter' noise about Liphook and the WWF - many very unhappy supporters of theirs now considering stopping any further donations to them. "My opinion of @WWF has plummeted hearing of their use of a bequest of land in #Liphook on edge of Sth Downs: Selling out to developers!" "@WWF after Liphook, not another penny" "@WWF How can you justify the sale of bequested land in #Liphook to property developers? How does this benefit wildlife?" "Nice move WWF (not wrestling) - at a stroke you are alienating an awful lot of potential donors! Muppets! #liphook #wwf #profiteering" "If the WWF for nature is now the WWF for development where will it all end? Liphook must be scratching their heads!"

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - liz (10th Jul 2013 - 17:02:15) I had some sympathy in that the WWF which must manage its funds in the most efficient way possible. However I was quite shocked to hear on the news last night that the fund regarded the sale of Bohunt as in "the spirit of" the bequest. This is mealy mouthed nonsense and made me quite angry. To sell out of necessity is one thing - to pretend that was as intended is appalling.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Creeba (11th Jul 2013 - 13:21:38) Have you seen the new WWF building in Woking? On the WWF web-site they state “The first steps included removal of the existing car park surface and protection of the majority of trees around the site.”, shame that the WWF didn’t show the same concern for the trees on Bohunt Manor Estate.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Jay W (11th Jul 2013 - 15:40:55) Just been thinking about the WWF selling on the land given to them, and apologies if this has been raised before but, is there any reason why the land planned to be given to Bohunt School, the football club or doctors' surgeries could not be sold on by those parties in the future? For example, if they were unable to raise the funds needed to facilitate the planned use? Sold on for further housing even - or maybe planning restrictions would prevent this (not that planning seem to be preventing much at the moment)! They could view it as a way to make money for the organisation concerned, although I can't really see a developer giving away land without some sort of overage clause. It was just a pessimistic thought. Hi Jay, I don't think the current owners/developers are giving the land away, I would suspect that it will be either a lease or a licence, keeping them in control. Also they only do this after they have planning permission and one of their documents suggested only after the properties have sold. I also think the offer is rescinded if the projects are not started in a specified time, so if funding takes too long to arrange the land usage is lost.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - M Tanner (11th Jul 2013 - 21:01:53) Having just read the Liphook Herald, was the reporter at the same meeting on Tuesday evening as I and many others because, as the article only refers to what was said by GVI representatives, Neil Strowger for Bohunt School and Michele Frost for Liphook Junior School. Once the meeting was opened for members of the audience to air their views there was no doubt how the people of Liphook felt about the proposed development and some were quite heated, but there is nothing reported in the herald to this affect. Am I the only that feels cheated by this disregard to what was said at the meeting. PS.Why is Bohunt being given the control over the amenities that will possibly be given to the Village????.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Jane Ives (11th Jul 2013 - 23:03:16) Jay What was said by the developers at the meeting (and please anyone correct me if I misunderstood) is that the land would be handed over at the point that planning permission for the houses is granted. And they did stress handed over...they would have no further interest in it at all.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - liz (12th Jul 2013 - 15:38:29) According to the Herald, GVI was requested to apply for the new medical centre by the GP village surgeries and approached by Bohunt School with a request for a new primary school. Also, Bohunt School will own and manage the community farm, ecology park (with potential for a new cricket pitch) and the nature reserve. - Is this all correct? Secondly the Herald says that the new primary school, football pitch and clubhouse will be funded by the housing development. Very generous, I thought they had just offerred the land! The headline is 'Bohunt scheme best option' but I am told that Gabrielle Pike writes what she is told to write so perhaps we should not be too harsh if the facts are incorrect! Can anyone clarify?

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - ELLIE (12th Jul 2013 - 16:32:36) I suspect that the land only is given. What the developers meant when saying funded by meant giving away of the land is funded by this , not the buildings. They will only allow the community facilities to be built where they think it could be of no use for housing land. There is no guarentee that there will not be an immiadiate uplift in land value if permission for houses is given and the land then sold on as it was before. The newspaper the Tyndall group probably gains by advertising revenue as GL HEARN are based in the West Country and news of the development in Liphook was reported there. Perhaps they are part shareholders of the scheme?

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Harry (12th Jul 2013 - 17:34:45) Dear M Tanner, You made some excellent points, perhaps this is why the Parish Council and others organised a Public Meeting for us and for the BCC to be there to report. As we were not receiving the truth from the papers!!

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Jane Ives (12th Jul 2013 - 21:12:43) I haven't yet seen The Herald article, but it sounds like it wasn't very accurate. Liz, only the land is being offered. The various organisations would have to fund whatever buildings they propose to build ie school, football clubhouse etc. I thought the cricket pitch had been shelved, it certainly wasn't mentioned.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - A. Ryan (12th Jul 2013 - 22:34:10) Parish Council, verses the local paper..... I feel a fight coming on! Gabriel Pike, writing "what she is told to" as apposed to the council "helping " the locals ...hmmmm

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - H (13th Jul 2013 - 12:55:51) was the Herald article a misrepresentation of the meeting then?

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Steve (13th Jul 2013 - 21:09:06) I think the only way to deal with this level of Misreprentation is to write letters or emails of complaint to the owner the Farnham Herald and copy the Parish Council in, so that the community has a record. There were at least 200 people at the Public Meeting and possibly a few more hundred of local people that watched BBC South Today account. Therefore, we should be able to generate Tens of letters and emails to the owner of the Farnham Herald. After reading the Herald\'s article , supposedly about last Tuesday\'s Public Meeting , it was clearly very different from the BBC account! The BBC account was very representative and balanced I felt. Whilst the Herald,s account appeared to be a piece of marketing for the developer.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - H (14th Jul 2013 - 16:23:17) The other way of complaining is to not buy the Liphook Herald at all? If the circulation in just one area is down questions will be asked/ Also I do not believe that The Herald, which has lots of other local villages to cover, could possibly miss- report in every area? it must be a problem only with our Liphook Herald? Do not buy the awful paper!

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Steve (14th Jul 2013 - 21:07:01) Nice idea about not buying the Liphook Herald, but it's a very round -about way of trying to achieve something very specific. Furthermore, how much energy and motivation are you going to need to stop people buying the Herald and why do you need to wait for the circulation to potentially go down before they start asking questions. Just tell them now! I really think the simple and direct method is fine. It can only take 10 minutes to put your concerns on paper or email. What is the problem?

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - H (15th Jul 2013 - 08:48:51) That will only work if enough people who were at the meeting meeting complain. A friend of mine did complain in that way to the editor in Farnham some time ago and the letter received no acknowledgement or response at all.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Dawn Hoskins (15th Jul 2013 - 09:51:30) I have to say that the Parish Council has had to put up with this level of inaccurate [to put it mildly] reporting for many years. Sometimes we will have left a completely friendly meeting only to read that we are embroiled in some huge row or other – we just look at each other and shake our heads – we think: what planet was she on as clearly she didn’t attend the same meeting that we were in! Generally, very few people come to Parish Council meetings, so when we complain the majority of people seem to think we are moaning about dirty laundry being aired. In fact we are complaining that before it was written up we didn’t have any dirt on our laundry at all. The mud slinging aimed at the laundry comes entirely from someone’s over imaginative mind – or else – from a person with an axe to grind and a strict agenda to misreport the council wherever possible. Although I despair of the continued misreporting [where many of the facts are plain wrong and there is such a bias in favour of one party or another – with no actual reporting of the truth], I am happy that for once there has been a meeting where 200 or so parishioners attended ans saw what really happened with their own eyes and ears. Now – for once you can all see what a load of garbage we are served up with week after week when ever the story relates to the Parish Council. I personally think that there must be some sort of vested interest [from the Herald] in this scheme going ahead. Remember we have no idea who the land owners really are as they are hidden by registering in a tax haven and listing the company in Liechtenstein. Maybe Ms Pike is one of them – who knows?! She clearly did not attend the same meeting that I was in – either that or she is deaf to reality and really does live in a parallel universe. They should re-name the paper the weekly Planet! [not our planet of course].

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Shauna Horsley (15th Jul 2013 - 11:14:47) Question for LUFC: If the houses are given planning permission and the land is then "given" to LUFC, will it be freehold or Leasehold? If Leasehold what will rent and service charges be? Will SDNP give permission for floodlights ? What would be the cost of laying a new football pitch, building a clubhouse ,stands and floodlights? Would it be possible to raise this money and then cover the annual costs involved? Is this really a feasible way forward for LUFC. Question for Bohunt: Is the finance for the plans for a new school coming through Hampshire County Council? Have there been any formal discussions about it? Can we have access to any information about funding?

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Valerie (15th Jul 2013 - 11:47:32) While I hold no brief for the press and am totally opposed to any housing development on the Bohunt Manor Estate, I do think that some of the more recent postings regarding comments about The Herald in general and Ms Pike and her reporting in particular, have distorted the facts. I was at the meeting and I have read Ms Pike’s subsequent article. I cannot see that she has actually reported any inaccuracies or mis-statements, but I stand corrected if I am wrong. It is possibly what she did not report that is causing the criticism. There was an overwhelming feeling of antipathy towards the proposed development from the vast majority of people who attended and this did not stand out in the article. She was reporting facts rather than feelings. To be fair to her and any reporter reporting on contentious meetings where understandably feelings run high, it would be impossible to report everything that was said, particular in the case of a meeting which went on for two hours and this one did.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - STEVEN (15th Jul 2013 - 13:19:20) 10 minutes to write a letter of Complaint to the Owner of the Herald & Copy to Parish Council. To get back to the crux of my practical suggestion, which is to sent letters of complaint { whether responded to or not by the Herald} would be the simplest way. IMPORTANTLY, a copy sent to the Parish Council so that they can keep track of the numbers sent across the Parish. Furthermore, if the BBC or another media organisation wants to report on this again , we at least have a trail of letters of complaint { Whether responded to or Not}.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - H (15th Jul 2013 - 16:25:08) Surely local reporting should not be reporting selective things? It is what one would expect where the government is not democratic and repressive but I do not think we would penalise the press for accurate reporting! I would hope they read this blog!

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Peter Richardson (15th Jul 2013 - 17:50:48) I am not in favour of this development or any further developments in Liphook at the present time (we already have Lowsley Park and The Silent Garden) as I feel that its infrastructure has reached full capacity. I think that the destruction of the hedgerow and the Bohunt Manor land fronting the Portsmouth Road is a disgrace and I believe that this is a ploy used by many developers to ruin a site in order to persuade people that anything is better than the mess they have created, even houses. However I was unable to attend the meeting but read Ms Pike's article with interest. Perhaps someone could enlighten me as to the alleged inaccuracies/mis-statements/untruths or whatever one calls them alluded to in more than one posting. As Dawn Hoskins was the most voiciferous and she is a sitting parish councillor, perhaps she could let me know exactly what was inaccurate or untrue about the article. I would be really interested to know as a friend of mine did go to the meeting and she said that although the report in The Herald did not quote many of the statements made by the objectors, it was a report that delivered the facts as she remembered them. Please someone could enlighten me because it is important for everyone to know the details of these alleged inaccuracies, particularly those who were unable to go to the meeting. If the press have reported untruths and mis-statements, we the public should know exactly what they were and the person responsible should be held accountable.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - A. Ryan (15th Jul 2013 - 18:28:15) Having read the article in the Liphook Herald today I am also at a loss as to why certain postings have stated that the writing was biased. I actually thought it was quite a clinical piece of writing without leaning in any direction. What seems to be the problem? I am also opposed to further development in Liphook as I feel we have had our fair share of it, but I am sure there will be plenty that feel differently. Liphook has changed greatly and is vastly becoming an urban sprawl.and some Councillors seem happy about some "developments" but against others. Maybe for once the Councillors have no control over proceedings and are miffed, but I might be wrong. As Peter has stated please enlighten us to inaccuracies in the article.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - liz (16th Jul 2013 - 11:54:42) It appears to be a question of bias.There was a lot in the Herald article about the development being the best option for the village and the proposals were covered in some detail including the statement that the primary school, football pitch and club house would be 'funded' by the proposed 150 houses. We know that is not exactly what was meant but that was how it was reported. Also, despite the numbers who turned out for the meeting and its length, it appears from the article that the developers held the floor for the majority of the time.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - ellie (16th Jul 2013 - 12:37:29) There is another issue which concerns me. During the meeting only one person spoke in favour, Mrs Hope. I happen to have heard that she regularly socialises and is a personal friend of the reporter. Mrs Hope was quoted at length in the article, why? It would have been more balanced reporting to have also have interviewed afterwards those who spoke out against the proposals. The article makes it appear very one sided when in fact the developers were very shocked by the level of opposition to their plans.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Robert Knight (16th Jul 2013 - 13:05:50) There is some misunderstanding, WWF do very little work for wildlife, they are a campaign organisation, that lobby government and travel around the world to meetings mainly for the benefit of their staff - so money is very much their main concern! Check their accounts a very small percentage goes to animal welfare.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Kat (16th Jul 2013 - 15:46:36) I agree with Peter Richardson and A Ryan. I could not attend the meeting so I would like to see the inaccuracies that Councillor Dawn Hoskins is talking about. I also think that the tone and style of her posting, being in my opinion both confrontational and aggressive, leaves a lot to be desired. For a councillor to imply through a question that Ms Pike might be one of the landowners is just laughable and that the paper should be re-named is downright rude. In my opinion this thread has been hijacked for the purpose of anti Herald and Ms Pike mud slinging. The thread is now far removed from the Future of Bohunt Manor Estate. It is muddying the waters for everybody including the laundry and the washers as well. We want a clean wash not a dirty one.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - liz (16th Jul 2013 - 16:19:48) Kat Its not about mud slinging its about clarity and balanced reporting. It would also be good if the local paper reflected local views, as it used to. This is very important in my view as the proposed development could change the nature of Liphook massively and permanently. If the vast majority are in favour then fine, but if not then those views should be fully reflected.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - A. Ryan (16th Jul 2013 - 17:13:18) Having just read the article again, the very first line states "Dozens of protesters gathered at the Millennium Centre on Tuesday evening for a public meeting about the future of Bohunt Manor frontage Land." Biased? Further down, the article states that, "It was made clear by the GVI representatives that if the proposed plan for housing on BMFL was given the go ahead GVI would transfer ownership of the land free of charge to LUFC and Bohunt School. I don't think anyone is under any illusions as to what that means. That is not what GVI's original leaflet stated. Have they actually changed their stance on this ? They also had a clause which allowed them to take the land back if development of the school did not take place, that could not happen if they had already transferred full ownership of the parcels of land to LUFC and Bohunt School. Michele Frost, executive headteacher of Liphook Junior and Infants voiced her belief that the school could absorb more pupils without the need of another school. As to whether or not we do need another school is really not the issue, possibly a non church school, but that is another matter. But was this biased ? As was stated by Ms Frost "Residents main concerns revolved around proposed housing plans, as well as the lack of infrastructure and increased traffic problems any more developments would cause to the centre of Liphook". I believe she has hit the nail on the head there, as most of the public feel this to be the case. Then the article states "Many felt strongly about the South Downs National Park and wished to protect the land on BME from further adverse development." Again it hits the nail on the head as we feel that the WWF sold us down the swanny river. Yes there is also the pro argument from Nick Jones, and one can also understand why Bohunt School would be happy to have the land. This is really a tricky one, and one where there is the inevitable loser. The point being to this posting is that Councillor Hoskins or Dawn Hoskins and one or two others seems to find the article biased, and for the life of me I am finding it difficult to work out where. As Ellie put in her posting about Eve Hope "I happen to have heard that she regularly socialises and is a personal friend of the reporter." What has that got to do with anything? Perhaps someone is jealous of the friendship?

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Kevin Jackson (16th Jul 2013 - 18:00:38) I will begin this post by saying that I am not in favour of any housing development on Bohunt Manor Land and I can only hope that the SDNP under whose jurisdiction this matter is, will reject any development no matter how many “carrots” are offered. When the decision not to allow this housing development is made and I say “when” not “if” I would hope that the destruction of the land fronting Station Road will be rectified. Nor do I think that the press is this country is perfect, far from it. However I do think that Ms Hoskins’ post was way over the top particularly the vitriolic attack on Ms Pike. In her post Ms Hoskins states that she "despairs of the continued misreporting (where many of the facts are plain wrong and there is such bias in favour of one party or another - with no actual reporting of the truth)" but she is not specific as to their content, so I am left wondering to what she is alluding. To date she has not answered A Ryan’s post or Peter's requesting details of the alleged untruths/mis-statements/mis-reporting made by Ms Pike in her article in The Herald. If I were Ms Pike, I would view Ms Hoskins' implied suggestion that she is one of the developers very seriously and unless Ms Hoskins can back up this very derogatory statement with concrete evidence, would be inclined to take legal advice myself. We still have libel laws in this country. Intemperate and inflammatory posts are never helpful. Ms Hoskins’ also implies the Ms Pike has “an axe to grind” and that we are served with a load of garbage whenever the story relates to the Parish Council. If this was really true why don’t the parish council sue The Herald or Ms Pike. To use Cllr Jerrard's (Justice and Anti-Corruption Party although he now seems to standing under the UKIP banner) mantra “If it’s not true, why don’t they sue.” So Ms Hoskins please "put up or shut up." Let us have the evidence. I read the article with an open mind and have to say that far from thinking it was biased, I was left with the impression that it was a very fair article to both sides. To support this I will quote a couple of statements from the article. " Residents' main concerns revolved around proposed housing plans, as well as the lack of infrastructure and increased traffic problems any more developments would cause to the centre of Liphook. The debate provoked loud protests and strong objections against any more housing developments. Many felt strongly about the South Downs National Park (SDNP) and wished to protect the land on Bohunt Manor Estate from any adverse development". More than adequately reported. Of course feelings were running high and Ms Pike made that clear, but there is no point in reporting what people are saying individually if they are saying the same thing in ten different ways. Overstatement detracts from an argument. Of course Ms Pike had to report the developers' points of view because in order to win this battle everyone needs to be aware of all the facts. "Know thine enemy". The article was doing just that. I personally did not find it to be biased and I am totally against this development With regard to Ellie’s post she refers to the developers being shocked by the level of opposition. The developers were not present, only their agents and they were just doing a job and probably were shocked at the level of opposition although I rather think they must be used to it – sort of goes with the territory. So to Ms Hoskins in particular, parish council in general as well as all the people who feel strongly about this, channel your ire and energy into lobbying the right people namely the SDNP in a concerted effort to stop this appalling development proposal.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Kat (16th Jul 2013 - 18:02:34) Liz You have your opinion and I have mine. I look forward with interest to seeing, on this website, exactly what Councillor/Dawn Hoskins says was inaccurate in the newspaper article concerning Bohunt Manor.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - bdavies (16th Jul 2013 - 18:42:16) To all who oppose the development, it seems that the PC is on our side, including Dawn. Let's not weaken our defences by attacking each other. It doesn't make a lot of odds whether our esteemed local paper is biased for or against; personally I couldn't care less. What matters is opposition in wriitng to SDNP/EHDC and as many opposing comments on the planning sites as possible.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - ellie (16th Jul 2013 - 19:21:12) Surely we have better things to do than sue each other for a difference of opinion ? If there is indeed no dirty dealings over the Bohunt Manor Land, why is it fronted by a swiss based trust nominee company registered in the British Virgin Isles? You are right it was the agents who were there, not developers. I was merely pointing to the fact that the interview after the meeting with Ms Hope should have been counterbalanced with another one. No jealousy either, I have enough good friends.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Phil (16th Jul 2013 - 19:55:17) I didn't bother to read the detail behind the usual lengthy postings aimed at the PC and Herald as they are distractions to the central issue of village development. Can I ask if it is true that the WWF have been involved in the sale of the land? If so, why are folk not out in front of the WWF offices (I would happily go!) shaming them and gaining publicity, instead of bickering about he said / she said squabbles? If the village managed to channel it's efforts and make its voice heard it might have an effect on the development, but if the developers have checked this thread they will be laughing at us. It's never too late in my opinion, but what's missing - in my mind - from all this is any real sense of direction or strategy to protect the village and deliver what we collectively agree (and not what single individuals or organisations want). What's the next step, please?

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - bdavies (16th Jul 2013 - 22:41:17) That is half the problem, we do not have an established group, with authority, to lead us in unison against this. That is the reason why Liphook has so much building going on. Surely the Preservation Society should be stepping in or the PC if they do oppose? An established local body needs to step forward and take the reigns, one that we can all formally associate ourselves with to demonstrate opposition. This is a good discussion forum but it is not the lead point for opposition at all, other than spreading the word.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - liz (17th Jul 2013 - 08:39:24) bdavies I couldn't agree more with both of your latest posts.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Phil (17th Jul 2013 - 08:45:25) So if there is no local 'pressure' group that is calling for action - and presumably putting pressure on organisations such as the developers, the PC, media, WWF etc - can we set one up then? Agree that this forum is useful but not the ideal way, but if there was a strong degree of support and genuine, motirvated engagement - then we should do something, and do it now. I would happily get involved, I don't mind - it's our village, and we are going to have to be organised to protect it.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - liz (17th Jul 2013 - 11:27:57) Does the Parish Plan have any impact? According to a report on their website, the requirement for 600 houses has been met and sites identified for a further 748 if necessary. The list does not include Bohunt.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - ellie (17th Jul 2013 - 11:34:28) I agree we should be focusing on stopping the development but the power for that lies with SDNP and when they read sentences such as \"dozens of people\" when there were actually between 150 and 180 people at the meeting is very dismissive to begin with. It was standing room only in a large hall more accurate surely to say nearly 200 people than dozens? It would be good to lobby the SDNP planning committee who actually decide the application soon-- the names I believe are on their website. Our local SDNP representative is Councillor Jennifer Grey who lives I believe in Rogate? write to them all.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Valerie (17th Jul 2013 - 15:26:59) I do agree with that we need a dedicated group of people who will give time and energy to fight this proposed housing development. Could not the parish council be this pressure group or alternatively if they do not have enough time, appoint a pressure group of like minded people who have the time to put in “the spade work” which will be needed to fight this. It is worth noting that the more opposition and the longer this goes on, the more money will have to be spent by the developers and it doesn't come cheap to put in this sort of application, let alone their agents’ fees.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Roger Miller (17th Jul 2013 - 17:10:19) I have sent the following email to the SDNP:- There is a current planning application for development of the Bohunt Manor, Liphook site which is within the SDNP Boundary. On 9th July 2013 there was a public meeting held at the Millennium Hall Liphook which was attended by approximately 150 people. The purpose of the meeting was to hear from the developers, local Parish, District and Hampshire Councillors on the facts behind the application. During the 2 1/2 hour meeting all attendees from the public, accept one, registered their opposition to the scheme. Reference to the Liphook Talkback web site will indicate to you the strength of the opposition. Unfortunately the report of the meeting in the Liphook Herald did not record the extent of the opposition, although the News Article on the BBC South Today Programme did. I urge the members of the SDNP Planning Committee to note the extent of the local opposition to this development, which is proposed on an area of outstanding natural beauty at one of the gateways to the National Park.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Eneida Nelson (17th Jul 2013 - 19:31:41) Does anybody know if our MP, Damian Hinds, has expressed an opinion on this proposed development on SDNP land, which is causing so much upset in Liphook ? If not, perhaps someone should ask him for his views on the situation...

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Shauna (18th Jul 2013 - 10:53:38) If you would like to object, go to the South Downs National Park website - the reference for an online submission is: SDNP/13/02104/PRE, Guessing the more people register their concerns with SDNP the closer they will look at this application

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - liz (18th Jul 2013 - 10:54:44) Damian Hinds has a history of being pro-development so I would not expect his support.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Green Village Investments (18th Jul 2013 - 12:51:08) Open Weekend at Bohunt Manor Frontage Land - Sat 20th & Sun 21st July Green Village Investments will be providing open access to its land at Bohunt Manor this weekend for all to come and view the areas proposed for various community facilities and development. Opening times will be from 10.00am to 7.00pm on both Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st and everyone is welcome. GVI has recently released the following statements and would be pleased to hear your views via our dedicated website http://bohunt4liphook.co.uk/ or by email at bohuntmanor@glhearn.com STATEMENT FROM GREEN VILLAGE INVESTMENTS Ltd 9th July 2013 RE: Bohunt Manor Frontage Land Following the extensive interest being shown in the very topical subject of the Bohunt Manor Frontage Land (BMFL), we are writing to provide further details to ensure that all parties are fully informed (Because this is a very complex subject, we have concluded our notes with a number of ‘Bullet Points’ to enable important relevant facts to be easily grasped). You will be aware that the BLPC has organised a Public Forum to discuss the future of the BMFL this coming Tuesday 9th July at the Millennium Hall, commencing at 7.30pm. This forum is very timely for two reasons: (1) the pending planning application for a new primary school and LUFC clubhouse on the BMFL will be discussed in detail at the forum. (2) a document prepared jointly by South Downs National Park and EHDC titled \'Proposed Modifications to the East Hampshire Joint Core Strategy\' (JCS) has just been released for consideration / approval by the Council prior to further consultation. The item (2) above refers to The Government Planning Inspector’s rejection of the previous JCS Housing Land Supply figures for the district, which now specifically recommends a \'minimum increase\' of 175 dwellings for Liphook alone. This increase is over and above the existing consented schemes at Lowsley Farm (155 units) and Silent Garden (126 units). The community of Liphook will therefore be faced with a number of choices (and dilemmas) in regard to the most suitable locations for these extra houses. There are two other significant sites currently being promoted for housing at Liphook; one at the Chicken Farm in Chiltley Lane (assessed at 164 houses) and the other at Land South of the A3 adjacent to Lowsley Farm (assessed at 400 houses). The assessed housing figures for these sites are as currently stated in EHDC’s Strategic Housing Availability Assessment (SHLAA). However, both the Chiltley Lane and the expanded Lowsley sites are remote from the centre of the village and the residents there would be heavily reliant on car travel to go about their day-to-day business. Further, even if the landowners of these sites could be persuaded to provide land for the various community facilities urgently needed in the village, the very remoteness and inaccessibility of these sites would make the location of any such facilities there unsustainable. It should also be pointed out that should either of these sites (or any of the other smaller SHLAA sites in the village) be allocated for the 175 additional houses required in Liphook, then this would only compound the pressure for the community facilities which only the BMFL can provide. The Bohunt Manor Frontage Land offers an obvious alternative for the additional housing required for Liphook. BMFL is close to the centre of Liphook and within easy walking distance of shops, schools, library, surgeries and the railway station. Moreover, the extensive new facilities for community use offered in the BMFL proposal will be accessible to all residents in Liphook. In short, the central location of the BMFL will ensure that it integrates well with the village. GVI has always and consistently been clear and open about its intentions to create an “exemplar” mixed-use development on its land, including the provision of social and open market housing. This was first mooted as early as 2006 when representations were made to the EHDC Local Development Framework in regard to the unique position and capacity for the BMFL to meet the future community and growth needs of the village. All this was also fully explained and illustrated at a public meeting held in the Millennium Hall in November 2007. Another recent public event, organised by GL Hearn on behalf of GVI, was held in May this year to consult with the local community on Bohunt School’s proposals for a new Primary School and LUFC proposals for a clubhouse, both on the BMFL. GVI reiterated its commitment to an exemplar mixed-use development on the BMFL to include a quantum of circa 150 houses (to include affordable housing, open market housing, ‘live-work’ units and local ‘self build’ plots), along with a proposal to transfer land without charge for various community uses to local bodies or groups - these parcels of land include: a Medical Centre site (planning/legal costs only reimbursed), Football Pitch and site for new Clubhouse, Community Farm/Allotments, Ecology Park, Nature Reserve, Cricket Pitch (in a new and more suitable position) and the proposed new Primary School site. GVI has already secured planning consent for most of these community uses. It should be noted that whenever GVI has been approached by a local body or group for help in providing land for new community facilities, the company has in each and every case responded in a positive and helpful way. This level of \'community benefit\' as offered by GVI is unprecedented - nothing comparable was offered by or required of the landowners at Silent Garden or Lowsley Farm developments. In deciding where best to locate the further 175 houses allocated to Liphook, it makes sense to consider accessibility of the location, its sustainability in planning terms and the level of community benefit for Liphook and the neighbouring settlements. While it is acknowledged that the National Park status of the land is a planning constraint, it should be noted that the site was not included in the former Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The site has been excluded from the Council’s latest Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) but there is no evidence of any objective landscaping assessment having been undertaken to inform this decision. We believe that there is a unique opportunity to create a model community in the Park on the BMFL and due to its location with good road networks in the area, a mainline railway station within easy walking distance and good connectivity with adjoining public footpaths, the BMFL could become the true ‘Gateway to the South Downs National Park.’ GVI has previously suggested that its site could accommodate a Park Visitor Centre, for instance in a relocated new village library or in a community shop and this, together with other local attractions, such as the Hollycombe Working Steam Museum, would raise the profile of Liphook as a tourist destination. In October 2011, the Prince\'s Foundation for Building Community carried out an in-depth appraisal of the BMFL to assess its suitability for development. This appraisal also entailed a \'walkabout\' survey of the village and a one-day \'design workshop\' with fifteen professionals in attendance in order to fully assess the suitability of the BMFL for development. In regard to the proposed new school on the BMFL, HRH Prince Charles, has identified in his recently published book, Harmony, the strong evidence that children benefit, both behaviourally and academically, from having exposure to food growing programmes and contact with Nature. The Bohunt School proposal for a new Primary School will provide its pupils with full access to a superb community farm already set out by GVI and also access to an exceptional mixed woodland and wetland Nature Reserve that GVI has established. These parcels, which will be transferred into the ownership of Bohunt School, will also be available to all other schools in the district, as well as the local community. We especially hope that Liphook Junior School will seek common ground with Bohunt School to enable as many local children as possible to benefit from the exceptional outdoor facilities that GVI has offered as part of its proposal. OPEN WEEKEND GVI would like to invite the people of Liphook to an \'Open Weekend\' on Saturday 20th July and Sunday 21st July, to allow public access to the site which, whilst presently in private ownership, is proposed in due course to become fully available to the public. All members of the local community are welcome to walk (or drive) from the village to the BMFL, and should follow directions from the Bohunt Manor driveway to the Community Farm car park. Helpers will be available to point out where the proposed public facilities will be located and if the weather continues to be fine, this should be a pleasant outing for families and individuals. Key Points: GVI purchased the BMFL from the World Wildlife Fund in 2005. The WWF will receive a share of any future profits from the development of the BMFL (through an Overage Clause in favour of WWF) GVI has always been clear and open about its intentions to promote the Frontage Land as an ‘exemplar’ eco mixed use development. The former Parish Council asked GVI to apply for planning permission for a football pitch in 2008. This was done entirely at GVI’s cost. Ditto cricket pitch. Ditto allotments. GVI was also requested to apply for the new medical centre by the local GP surgeries and the substantial cost of this application was funded by GVI. Heads of Terms for an Option have just recently been agreed with specialist medical centre developer, the GP Group, for the transfer of the medical centre site. The land will be transferred free of charge, though with GVI’s ‘out of pocket’ planning and legal costs reimbursed. Bohunt School approached GVI in 2012 with a request for a site for a new Primary School and GVI has agreed to assist. LUFC has asked GVI to apply for a clubhouse adjacent to the consented football pitch and this is currently underway. There are unlikely to be any other alternative suitable sites in the village for the various community facilites for which GVI has secured consent on the BMFL. GVI has recently been involved in discussions with Liphook Cricket Club and a new and more suitable potential site has been identified for a cricket pitch for the village. GVI will use its best endeavours to secure planning permission for this facility. It is understood that there are already around 60 families on the waiting list for an allotment in the village and that the current facility at Tunbridge Lane cannot be extended. GVI’s Community Farm has 72 allotments already laid out and there is capacity to provide a further 32 allotments. It is proposed to transfer the Community Farm, Ecology Park (with potential for a new cricket pitch for Liphook Cricket Club) and Nature Reserve into the ownership of Bohunt School, which will then manage these facilities for the benefit of the whole community. The design of the consented roundabout at the Station Road junction is ‘future-proofed’ to serve all the development being contemplated on the BMFL. The implementation of the roundabout at the Station Road junction will provide a considerable highways ‘betterment’ to the locality, slowing down traffic coming into the village from the south and generally along the Portsmouth Road. Specifically, the new roundabout will assist in the regeneration of the Station Road Commercial and Retail zones. SUPPLEMENTARY STATEMENT FROM GREEN VILLAGE INVESTMENTS LTD 20th July 2013 RE: Bohunt Manor Frontage Land (BMFL) Following statements GVI made at a Public Forum organised by Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council held on the 9th July, GVI wishes to reiterate its long-standing commitment to protecting and enhancing wildlife habitat on the BMFL. GVI appreciates public expressions of support for the protection of wildlife habitat on the BMFL, but is perplexed why some have sought to voice an alternative view, including a quite bizarre and misleading statement that GVI had “infilled” the Bohunt Manor lake - GVI has never owned a lake in Liphook, though it understands that the lake at the manor house was dredged and restored, not infilled. The evidence of GVI’s commitment to protect and enhance the local ecology is clear and unambiguous, including successful lobbying by GVI to have all the ecologically sensitive areas of land on its site designated as Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC). The GVI development proposals will: ensure the protection and enhancement of wildlife habitat on BMFL restrict all built elements of its development proposals to the unproductive Grade 3 agricultural land that has of very limited ecological value rely on ecological surveys of the site and vicinity conducted by both Hampshire County Council and independent ecologists create further areas of wildlife habitat and diversity, as well as designating considerable areas of land as Public Open Space (POS) retain and extend new wildlife corridors on the BMFL, that link on-site wildlife habitat and connect to the wildlife habitat in the wider landscape reflect the importance of Sir Adrian Holman’s bequest to WWF, by ensuring that important wildlife areas can be retained as such in perpetuity and transferred into public ownership. add extensively to the legacy of the Holman bequest by making large areas available to the local community, to sport and recreation groups and to local schools, where no such public access rights previously (or currently) existed. will provide a realistic framework for the long-term maintenance and care of the environment on BMFL and for the benefit of the local community

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - ellie (18th Jul 2013 - 13:01:04) I believe after the public meeting that the Parish Council have submitted their comments to the the SDNP I do not know if our three district councillors have made any comments about it? although they are not deciding the application they can still comment on our behalf? Councillor Angela Glass, Bill Mouland and Councillor Lynn Ashton.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - liz (18th Jul 2013 - 14:01:18) Dear Green (really?) Village Investments The alternative sites are neither remote nor inaccessible. People living in your proposed new development would use their cars just as much as anybody else so the difference in location is irrelevant. You have no interest in Liphook other than for financial gain. This is not a crime but do not imply you are doing us a favour. How would the Gospel Hall have benefitted Liphook? Please leave our 'Gateway to the National Park' alone - and if you think I'm giving up a precious Saturday or Sunday to support your proposals you are wrong and I hope many people will feel the same.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Karen (18th Jul 2013 - 15:22:35) Help me out folks and I apologise for being thick...but who exactly has said that Liphook requires 175 more houses to meet future demands. And how do they know how many houses you will need. Surely there comes a time when you say NO, we can't actually fit any more in.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - liz (18th Jul 2013 - 16:13:41) Karen I don't think we need the extra houses but 'Green' Village Investements are trying to persuade us that their site is better just because it is slightly nearer the village centre and never mind that it is in the National Park. There is also the added sweetener of land being provided for a football pitch and medical centre. Unfortunately they are likely to succeed as we have no person or authority who has the time or funds to throughly present the alternative case - and they know that. So Liphook is likely to be bulldozed both figuratively and literally once again.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Jane Ives (18th Jul 2013 - 16:25:58) The parish council are onto this one, and have been putting together a letter of objection to go to SDNP. This is the letter that has been sent. Pre-application for development at Bohunt Frontage Land The Parish Council has taken into account a number of significant issues relating to this proposal. 1. The purposes and duty of the South Downs National Park. 2. The National Planning Policy Framework 3. The policies of East Hampshire District Council. 4. The views of the residents of Liphook. Purposes and Duty of the SDNP • Liphook has been described as one of the ‘gateways’ to the SDNP. It is the first settlement in the Park reached from the A3 from London. The views along the Portsmouth Road are the first indication of the natural beauty of the area and would encourage visitor numbers and should therefore be preserved. • There is an opportunity to increase the economic well-being of this community by promoting tourism and leisure facilities, particularly in relation to existing hotel, accommodation and sporting activities (especially walking and cycling). This would be severely damaged if this section of the Park was concealed and access restricted. • The agent has shown little or no concern for the natural beauty and wildlife of this section of the Park with loss of trees with TPO orders, ancient hedgerows and spraying with herbicides. • The suggested site of a primary school in close proximity to a large water feature is of concern. The proposal is not just for a single form entry primary school but plans for expansion to a double form entry and possible further expansion, putting increased pressure on natural habitats. • Whilst a new primary school of academy status may be perceived as promoting social well-being by providing a choice of schools, there are alternative sites available within the settlement of Liphook, with better access and which would have significantly less impact on the landscape of the Park. In addition there are a number of alternative schools in the area, including plans to build a new primary school in Bordon. The National Planning Policy Framework • Para.115 states that ‘Great weight should be given to conserving landscape and scenic beauty in National Parks’. Development of this site would obscure the Park completely from this settlement. • Para.116 states that ‘planning permission should be refused for major developments in these designated areas except in exceptional circumstances’. There is no need for a primary school on this site when the existing primary schools have the facilities and funding to provide additional spaces for identified need arising from approved housing developments in Liphook, this would be the most cost-effective and sustainable solution. • It is considered that a primary school, medical centre, football and cricket pitches and at least 150 houses would constitute a major development. • There is no proven need for housing development on this site when Liphook has a number of identified sites to accommodate national housing requirements. The Policies of East Hampshire District Council • EHDC refer to this site as The Review Site and describe it as follows: “This is a large site which lies within the SDNP and occupies a site which slopes down from Portsmouth Road to low lying ground to the west. The proposed site is a large departure from the characteristic development pattern in this area which has generally been to the east of Portsmouth Road and the north of Longmoor Road. Given its location within the SDNP, development of this area should be avoided. • Under policy GS3 the proposals do not meet the criteria for being necessary for farming, forestry, countryside recreation, small scale tourism or any other genuine and proven need for which a countryside location is essential. • Under policy HC3 there is no identified local need for this proposal outside of the settlement boundary. • Under policy HC3 the traffic generated from a new academy status primary school would generate unacceptable levels of traffic caused by pupils being transported from outside of the catchment area. The additional traffic generated would not be appropriate to the surrounding rural roads, the historic core of Liphook and the conservation area of the Square. The Views of the Residents of Liphook • Following a public presentation of the development proposal, where a large number of residents expressed their concerns to the parish council, an open meeting was held on 9 July 2013 to discuss the proposals for this site. Residents have also posted comments on the SDNPA planning website. The overwhelming view of residents was that they opposed this development. • Residents feel that it is important to retain the status of this site as part of the South Downs National Park. • Residents are deeply concerned about lack of respect for the wildlife, habitats and landscape by the developers. • This site is the only easily accessed area of the Park (within walking distance for many) for quiet enjoyment for both visitors and residents of Liphook without the necessity of vehicles. • Residents’ main concerns are focused on the effect on traffic through the village. • Many residents have lived in Liphook for many years, with generations of families attending the local primary schools. The general consensus was that the existing primary schools were outstanding and there was no need for another primary school. • Residents feel that community proposals are merely a ruse to allow the developers to promote speculative development for housing. Taking all the above into account, the Parish Council would strongly oppose any proposals for further development on this key site in the SDNP.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - bdavies (18th Jul 2013 - 17:10:13) We have a Parish Plan that has set out the vision. EHDC have already catered for the demand in the land allocated for housing. I really do not see Bohunt succeeding as it is part of the SDNP. In the absence of a consolidated force against we have to protest the best we can. We all know the score and do not need a tour of the estate to remind us as this proposal in various guises has been going on for years.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - A. Ryan (18th Jul 2013 - 19:49:46) It seems to me that the building of new houses will happen whether we like it or not.We have been earmarked so it seems for more development. I think that we now have to decide where we least want a new development. Do we want just a housing development, or do we want one with sweeteners? We know that LUFC are in need of new grounds but as was stated in the Herald, land at Bramshott Place Village which is owned by Urban Renaissance Villages, were surprised by Ms Kirby's statement that their land is available to supply a new football pitch. So that one is out. I wonder why, more houses ,more money. We know the surgeries are keen for a new Health Centre, so one would assume they are for the new development at Bohunt. We know Bohunt School would like to set up a new Junior School and have use of a new ecology park and nature reserve. The problem is we have a station on our doorstep, worth more than the weight of gold. This has been on going for a number of years and certain planning applications have been put in and agreed to . It might be worthwhile checking EHDC to see all that has been going on It would be interesting to hear what the Parish council thinks is best for Liphook. The question now is what is the lesser evil.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - ellie (18th Jul 2013 - 20:13:09) I notice that they quote Prince Charles in their flyer. As he is also Chairman of the World wide fund for nature perhaps there is a reason they invited the Princes Trust there? Boycott their damaged/destroyed land please at the weekend The red herrings of other sites being less suitable is a nonsense each application is considered on its own merits, and none of the other sites are in the National Park. The Bohunt manor Land was not even considered for housing by EHDC so why should the National Park consider it?

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Jane Ives (18th Jul 2013 - 22:51:08) Apologies for posting another lengthy document but please read this. The South Downs National Park Authority have posted their assessment of the Bohunt school proposal on their website and it appears they are against the school in it's suggested location. SDNPA Landscape Officer planning consultation response   Date: ​​05/07/2013   Application ref: ​​SDNP/13/02104/PRE     Description: ​Proposed single form entry primary school, re-plan of approved football field, associated vehicular and pedestrian access and strategic landscaping works​   Address:​Bohunt Manor Portsmouth Road Liphook Hampshire GU30 7DL​   LPA: ​​EHDC​   Type of Consultation: ​Pre application advice request     The South Downs Integrated Landscape Character Assessment (SDILCA) identifies the site for the proposed development as being within the Character Type L Wealden Farmland and Heath Mosaic – the following excerpts of the SDILCA are included for information:   ‘The Woolmer Forest/Weavers Down Landscape Character Area forms an elevated undulating ‘plateau’ located to the west of Liphook.’   ‘The area is in close proximity to a large number of people, close to the settlements of Bordon, Liphook and Liss. Despite this the landscape is seemingly devoid of human settlement. However the presence of the A3(T) and overt human impact due to the presence of army camps and industrial buildings impinge on the sense of remoteness and tranquillity in localised areas.’   ‘Recent and modern enclosures around the edge woodlands are evidence that landuse history remained one of common grazing until relatively late in the post-medieval period.’   ‘Extensive areas of post-1800 woodland plantations covering areas of former commonland indicate the location of areas of former common(now open access land) and contribute to a great sense of enclosure.’   The proposed site layout does not relate to the existing landscape framework or the existing/historic settlement pattern and appears to rely on a series of permitted formal sport provisions, allotments and a medical centre to create precedence for the proposed redevelopment of a greenfield site within the South Downs National Park.   The masterplan included with the documents in support of the pre-application enquiry includes areas of housing and other uses within rural countryside surrounding the proposed school site - the subject of this consultation. None of these identified uses are permitted development or subject to a strategic allocation in the Local Plan. It is assumed that these wider uses are aspirations of the applicant and are included to demonstrate that the school site is not completely isolated from the existing town as would appear to be the case at face value.   For the purposes of providing pre-application advice on this enquiry the masterplan referred to above is not considered.   The proposed site is an isolated development site within a rural area outside the Liphook settlement boundary within the National Park.   The proposed layout is obtrusive in the landscape. It carves across the existing field pattern by breaking through 2 mature field boundaries and as a result would expose the surrounding landscape to open views of the proposed school. This would have the effect of extending human activity across a large area of landscape beyond the settlement edge and would be likely to be highly detrimental to National Park purposes.   The public rights of way network in the vicinity is well related to the existing urban fabric and provides connections to open access land at Weavers Down and the wider National Park beyond. The proposed site would be clearly visible from numerous locations along the rights of way network and would create a significant negative impact on landscape character which would also conflict with the purposes and duty of the National Park.   The documents relating to landscape considerations predate the National Park designation and therefore do not consider the National Park designation process, or more recent documents which provide further information on the National Park’s duties and responsibilities.   Should the applicant wish to pursue the application further the following documents are recommended as being required at the application stage:   1. Reference to Historic Landscape Character Assessment and SDILCA 2. Tree Survey and AIA in accordance with BS3587 3. Details of other consented schemes fully included and described 4. LVIA to fully consider impacts on the purposes and duty of the National Park.   • Reference SDNP Special Qualities, • State of the Park Report, • The Draft SDNP Management Plan. • Government circular 2010 The English National Parks and the Broads Vision • Consideration of how the scheme contributes to the purposes and duty of the National Park.   5. Consider cumulative impact on landscape of proposals together with existing permitted development.   6. Comprehensive visual analysis   Veronica Craddock Landscape Officer South Downs National Park Authority Rosemary's Parlour North Street, Midhurst West Sussex, GU29 9SB Tel 01730 811759 x 271 email: veronica.craddock@southdowns.gov.uk

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - liz (19th Jul 2013 - 09:32:33) Hope at last! Well done the PC and SDNP

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Darren (19th Jul 2013 - 20:40:24) I have to agree with A.Ryan's comments above. Although I personally don't want to see more housing development in Liphook (in addition to what already has permission) I do feel Liphook is going to be targeted by many developers over the next few years. EHDC has been told to supply more housing by the government and Liphook, with it's good transport links (Station and A3 since the Hindhead Tunnel opened) is an easy option. Applications for new developments will happen and the planning policies appear to favour developers and not existing residents. Shouldn't we then be thinking about what we as residents of Liphook can squeeze out of the developers rather than opposing every single one that is put forward. Remember permission, I believe, has already been given for the new Health centre and football pitch so, if they wish, the developers could start tomorrow building the new roundabout, roads etc. and the existing views will be gone. If GVI do walk away from Bohunt without developing it, which I believe they certainly won't, we could end up with an application for a housing estate of over 400 houses (not the 150 proposed at Bohunt) alongside the A3 between Headley and Longmoor road with no new facilities, football pitch, cricket pitch etc. etc. What would be better for Liphook?????

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - ellie (20th Jul 2013 - 12:27:32) With the amount of new permissions given already and will possibly be built we do not need any more anywhere in the vicinity! There is also the planned eco town in Borden I can see those people who have local businesses anticipating more customers with relish but we should not assume that if Bohunt Manor get permission, that will mean an end to development? In fact it would encourage even MORE applications. Do not be fooled by thinking that other places would be refused permission, they would not. We have already filled the quota.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Peter Richardson (20th Jul 2013 - 15:26:25) A Ryan and Darren do make some interesting and very valid points. It is worth remembering that even if SDNP turn down an application for building houses, and remember that to date no application for building houses has been submitted as we are in the middle of a "pre-application consultation", the developers could go to appeal and withdraw the "sweeteners". The final decision would then rest with an independent inspector.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - liz (23rd Jul 2013 - 09:06:47) ..And the inspector would review all the evidence including objections - so the more detailed the better.

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - M (23rd Jul 2013 - 13:01:48) Just a small point, The SDNP are funded I believe in Part by the goverment who at the moment are in favour of building as many houses as possible. They could just review this funding should they turn down the application. Just a thought

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - ellie (23rd Jul 2013 - 14:03:10) Regardless of where the funding came from the aims of the Park are not not turn it into a free for all for housing development! Did anyone go to their open day? I expect the headline tommorow in the Herald will be how wonderful it was!

Re: Future of Bohunt Manor Estate - Jane Ives (23rd Jul 2013 - 16:05:41) All here, you may have seen the banner at the top of Talkback.... If you want to get involved with an action group please do follow the link provided and drop me an email at jives68@gmail.com.

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