We were stunned to see such interest in the community meeting on 2nd November. 170 residents attended and demonstrated the strength of feeling and interest in Waterlooville. Another meeting is planned for February when we can find out how much of what was promised at the meeting, has been delivered. We hope we can increase the attendance.. It would be good to see a younger element attend. It is difficult with family commitments but perhaps everyone could help by spreading the word and encouraging people to have their say.
Waterlooville Regeneration Team presentation:
Waterlooville is complicated by private ownership of almost all of the land & shops. HCC own precinct between clock tower & Heroes roundabout. HBC own 2 car parks. HBC have no powers over the remainder which is private land, so can only ‘encourage’ redecoration etc
Many shops are owned by overseas funds with excessively expensive and long-term leases which make it impossible/unprofitable for new businesses to take over (i.e. Waitrose)
Vacant shop scheme oversubscribed (30 expressions of interest received) so full amount (£140K) will be spent on Waterlooville. Waterlooville has many empty shops, above the national average.30 Expressions of Interest were received.
Green spaces, pocket parks, hanging baskets, etc.
4. Master plan due early 2024 which will include a plan for consultation with various groups (business owners. Residents. Focus groups etc.)
There is now a high level of support from MP’s (Fi Drummond/Suella Braverman) down.
Presentation by Peter Harding, Managing Director of Questmap, which is the new owner of Wellington Way:
a. Retail units with a 1. 2 or 3 bedroom flat on top, no increase in height or change of overall footprint only 1 flat above each retail unit
b. There are & will remain 37 shops, some may lose a small amount of space to allow for flat entrance.
c. No studio flats, all flats will be at least UK average size.
d. Retail unit refurbs well underway
e. Flats awaiting planning permission
f. Have had interest for new lets but many will not commit until planning permission is granted.
i. Some may require the Master plan to get confidence in overall town centre plans
g. Whilst they would like a good mix of businesses they cannot dictate or commit to the mix.
h. There will be no allocated parking. Experience has shown them that people who choose to live in town centre flats often do so because they are close to facilities and public transport making cars unnecessary
i. There are no plans to rebrand Wellington way so the Cannon and soldiers will remain
j. The detailed planning submission can be found on the HBC Planning Portal.
THE NEXT COMMUNITY MEETING is on Wednesday 21st February at the Waterlooville Community Centre, 7pm.
