I HAVE recently read the plan for future development within the Borough of Eastleigh for which consultation is currently under way. It contains a list of some 38 new development sites across the borough. Prior to reading the list, I guessed that Hedge End would be targeted as the highest location for additional houses. Lo and behold I was right!

Six hundred and fifty new dwellings. Something in excess of 2,000 new inhabitants? That will take the population to well beyond 30,000.

Second highest on the list – nearby neighbours, Botley, scheduled to anticipate 375 new houses.

Additional dwellings within the remaining 22 other locations barely add up in total to those in Hedge End and Botley. William Cobbett will be ‘turning in his grave’. (He described his village, Botley, as “the most beautiful in the world”).

Furthermore, the document contains 13 objectives in the plan. Number one is ‘tackling congestion’! I nearly fell off my chair laughing before realising this is no laughing matter.

It proceeds, ‘developing green infrastructure’, ‘excellent environment for all’, ‘ensuring appropriate infrastructure’, ‘enabling healthier lifestyles and wellbeing’.

As John McEnroe might say, you cannot be serious!

I’m not a Nimby. Over the years we have done far more than most of the country in providing for the increasing population.

Grumpy Old Man

Hedge End