A question that many residents are asking …IS THE VILLAGE CAR PARK SET FOR CLOSURE?
In November 2016 the parish council became aware that East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) had unbeknown to us taken a decision some years ago to terminate the village car park, effective February 2017. Added to this we still haven’t received any official notification from EHDC, although subsequently we have had various responses from different officers to our emails. As the parish council were never consulted we are asking how this decision was arrived at, and using what criteria? – it certainly couldn’t have been under use.
We are making the following representations to EHDC;
- East Meon Parish Council had never been consulted of the possible closure of our only village public car park,
- We understand that Bereleigh Estate ,from whom EHDC lease the car park, are still willing to continue with the lease which has been at the same rate for the past 22 years.
- We are unaware of any meaningful assessment leading to a decision we understand was taken some years ago.
- Being the only public car park in our village with a historic grid layout, not planned for motorised vehicles, street parking is extremely limited and hazardous to other traffic including agricultural & utility vehicles.
- East Meon is a popular tourist destination and is promoted on EHDC’s web site with many walks & cycling routes starting from East Meon car park.
- There is minimal benefit to the village and its residents as they don’t use the car park, the benefit falls to the promotion of wider tourism by EHDC and the South Downs National Park.
- It is also heavily used at weekends, winter& summer – further exacerbated by overflow traffic parking on the verges of narrow roads/lanes. Also if there is nowhere to park, what are the implications for the future use of the football pitch?
- The consequences of not renewing this car park lease would have a very significant impact and cause traffic problems within the main village. While understanding the financial challenges that EHDC face they simply cannot offload their car park to East Meon Parish Council, who also have limited resources with only a small (over stretched) precept.
With the support of our district councillor, Rob Mocatta, we are meeting with EHDC officers in mid –January requesting them to re-evaluate and rescind their original decision, as quite apart from creating many parking issues, any perceived savings would undoubtedly be exceeded by highway repairs to kerbs and sunken drains caused by vehicles parking & driving on verges & footpaths.
We plan to impress upon them that this is a well-used EHDC car park and that common sense and goodwill should determine a sensible solution.
EMPC
January 2017
RECENT NEWS – 27/10/2015:
“East Meon Parish Council welcomes and supports the range of policies designed to ensure the protection of the National Park in accordance with its purposes. It notes the provision in SP23 for the allocation of sites for approximately 15 housing units in East Meon. The East Meon Neighbourhood Plan is being prepared with the objective of making such provision, but any allocation will need to have regard to the constraints imposed by the outstanding and unique landscape surrounding the village and the setting of the village within it.”
NEWS:
Please note that the Neighbourhood Plan Open Morning date has changed from 31st October 2015 and is now being held on 14th November 2015, 10.30am – 12.00 noon at the East Meon Village Hall.
Parish Council – General Business
It’s been a reasonably busy summer period for the parish council. Here are some highlights.
The development of the new parish web site has received very favourable feedback. Marc Atkinson and Chris Moor deserve our thanks for their herculean effort. Take a look and subscribe to newsfeeds at www.eastmeon.org.uk
We are planning some remedial work on the High Street stretch of the River Meon which was recently enhanced by local volunteers. Denise Ashton of the Wild Trout Trust visited in the summer and she noted how much life there is in the ‘new’ channel: “In addition to the range of plants, we also saw bullhead – a protected species, and minnows, a frog and lots of river invertebrates.”
Trust staff are working with the SDNP rangers to schedule two clean-up sessions a year. That’s all it should take to keep the more vigorous plants under control and keep the river flowing.
The parish council’s submission of an objection to a new planning application for the Forge. This follows visits from SDNP case and conservation officers.
The new children’s playground was completed in the summer and met with universal approval, especially from our Under-8s. Please see the item overleaf for more detail.
Five Ways – aided by a successful grant application for £850, much needed remedial work on the bridle path will commence in the autumn. The project team is led by Dick Williams and Dick is assisted by many willing volunteers.
Neighbourhood Plan
The NP is back on track after the recent pause in proceedings and the momentum will pick up as we move into autumn. As plan sponsors, the Parish Council Steering Group met in August with a newly formed NP ‘Leadership Group’ of four village residents. This group of George Thompson, Steve Ridgeon, Chris Moor & Clint Hanson reside across the village and provide a representative locational balance. They will be supported by existing and new volunteers who they can call upon when input to specific projects is required. The parish council will continue to be the ‘steering group’ and will liaise closely with the NP Leadership Group.
It must be re-emphasised that the only way any proposed sites can be eliminated from the NP is by following the prescribed process whereby all sites are objectively & sequentially evaluated using the same criteria – these include traffic issues, landscape, drainage, environmental impact or non-availability. The evidence has to show why any particular site has been rejected by the NP, otherwise it will not be accepted by the SDNP – we can influence outcomes, but there are no short cuts.
The latest NP information is available on the NP page on this site.
Dominic Carney for East Meon Parish Council
3rd September 2015
New Under- 8s Play Park
Wilson Atkinson and Susan Hull opened East Meon’s first Play Park for Under-8’s in the 1980s and over the years it has provided a huge amount of fun and entertainment for our young people. In 2013, the Parish Council decided that it was time to make some improvements. This involved a long process of sourcing the necessary funding which was eventually achieved. Today we have a wonderful new play area for this and future generations.
The Official Opening was held on Friday 4th September and we were delighted to be able to thank many of those involved personally, especially Parish Councillor, Philippa Tyrwhitt-Drake. Philippa has energetically and cheerfully led the project from inception and overcome many obstacles in order to make it happen.
We are very grateful to our funders. These include a Cabinet Approved Community Grant from EHDC for £5,000; a Community Grant from Radian for £1,500; East Meon Good Causes Fund gave £500; and Cllr Ken Moon donated £500 from his County Council personal discretionary fund. The balance was provided by existing Developers’ Contributions and finally topped up by the Parish Council. This has all involved a great deal of time and work and our thanks go to Richard Bartlett for championing this project during his time as our District Councillor.
Our final thanks go to Andy Smith and his team from Garden Karma. Andy has been extremely patient over the last two years and when the time finally came to push the ‘go’ button, he was very helpful and accommodating with all the last minute changes.
Dominic Carney for East Meon Parish Council
3rd September 2015