Sainsbury’s – Abbey Mill Site
At a special meeting of the Parish Council on August 12th the Council considered the application by Sainsbury’s for a supermarket and doctors’ surgery on the Abbey Mill site.
Councillors were very pleased to see such an excellent attendance for this meeting showing the strength of feeling both for and against the proposal.

After hearing from members of the public, representatives of Sainsbury’s, the practice manager from the surgery, county and district councillors the Council considered the application in detail. In brief, the Council responded as follows:

Objection on the following grounds: Contrary to the Policy for the site; design, scale and layout does not respond positively to the local environment; adverse impact on adjoining land; detract from townscape and landscape; not sensitive to the historic character of the settlement; increase in volume and type of traffic; detract from Conservation Area; would not preserve or enhance Conservation Area; this type of development should only take place within defined boundary; store would have an adverse impact on the vitality and viability of the existing town centre; adversely affect the Conservation Area, BW Palace and the Ponds; encourage parking on the public highway and result in the loss of parking.

The Council did accept that the proposal would increase employment opportunities in the area, proposed improvements for the South Pond and Abbey Field, include the provision of a car park, provided access to facilities on foot or bicycle and reused a vacant building.

The Parish Council’s response has now been sent to Winchester City Council who will be determining the application later this year.

Parish Caretaker
A new Parish Caretaker will be in place at the beginning of July. His role will be to keep the pavements in and around the town centre clean and tidy. Please let the Council staff know if there are any particular problem areas that you would like to see addressed.

Meon Valley Active Retirement Association
This is a new group that is being set-up in Bishop’s Waltham and it will be associated with the Good Neighbours Scheme. It will have subsections which include the Befriending Service, Social Events, Pub Lunches, New Age Kurling, Gardening Scheme and the Songsters Group. The Association also hope to do personal computer training sessions.
If you are interested contact Terry and Pat Wilson. Email: Terry and Pat

Jubilee Hall Children’s Play Area
Members of the Sports and Recreation Committee will be working on proposals for a new play area at Jubilee Hall during the coming months. As with all these projects the Councillors will be asking for parishioners’ comments on the scheme.

Priory Park Car Park Extension
Planning permission for a car park extension at Priory Park has been granted and the Council is about to commence work on the project.

Police Community Youth Events
The Police are holding a Party in the Park on the 13th August, many activities are planned and all youngsters in the parish are invited to attend this free event. Contact Meon Valley Police Station for more details.

Events/Clubs
The Parish Council website gives details of a huge variety of clubs and leisure activities so if you are looking to get together with people with the same interests or simply keep fit, then this is the place to check first.

If you have a club and wish to advertise on the website then please contact the parish council office.