fleet and church crookham society

Fleet & Church Crookham Society Newsletter – Autumn/Winter 2009 1

Fleet & Church Crookham Society Newsletter – Autumn/Winter 2009

The views and comments expressed in this Newsletter are those of the contributor and not necessarily those of the Fleet & Church Crookham Society. Neither the authors nor the Society accept responsibility for

any use to which the information contained in this Newsletter may be put.

FLEET & CHURCH CROOKHAM SOCIETY ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Wednesday 21 April 2010 at 7.30pm Crookham War Memorial Hall, Sandy Lane, Church Crookham

Please support your Society: come along to

our AGM and let us have your views on any issues of concern

Contents Chairman’s Introduction ....................................................................................................................2 Our Society and Local Politics ..........................................................................................................3 Welcome to our New Members.........................................................................................................3 Local Clubs and Associations: Fleet Division Girl Guides ................................................................4 Vehicle Parking at Fleet Railway Station ..........................................................................................5 Parishing the Unparished Areas of Fleet, Church Crookham and Elvetham Heath .........................6 Minding the Garden gets the Green Light!........................................................................................7 Farnborough Airport and the Farnborough Aerodrome Consultative Committee (FACC) ................8 Saving the World from an Asteroid Collision?.................................................................................11 Vision for Fleet Town Centre ..........................................................................................................11 Licensing of Premises Selling Alcohol – Who Now Regulates and How? ......................................12 Fleet & Crookham: Heritage on Your Doorstep ..............................................................................13 Fleet & Church Crookham Society Activities March–October 2009...............................................14 Loss of the Civic Trust ....................................................................................................................15

We have so many new members we can’t fit them all in our customary welcome on page 1! See page 3 for details.

Welcome to our New Members

We welcome articles for possible publication in the Fleet & Church Crookham Society newsletter. My contact details are on page 16.

Gillian Wain Editor

Contributions Welcome

Following the very interesting talk given at our AGM by Roger Cansdale from the Surrey and Hampshire Canal Society (SHCS), our Society became a lifetime member of the SHCS. Pictured is Roger receiving our application for membership from Stuart Bates, our Treasurer. We look forward to long and happy links between the two societies, which both have similar aims.

Fleet & Church Crookham Society joins the Surrey and Hampshire Canal Society

Visit Fleet & Church Crookham Society website: www.fccs.org.uk

2 Fleet & Church Crookham Society Newsletter – Autumn/Winter 2009

Chairman’s Introduction The question on everyone’s lips is how could a delegated junior minister make the decision to allow the Pyestock Appeal after all those weeks of debate that led the Inquiry Inspector to recommend refusal? The other question of course is why was the Secretary of State so reluctant to tell us who he asked to make the decision? One can only say “What price democracy?” and ask “Is this what our government means by taking government closer to the people?” If so, what people did they have in mind I wonder? The people who wish to cover the south of England in concrete and brick no doubt. The SPLAT group, that fought so hard and effectively against Pyestock, is seeking a judicial review that would challenge the decision of this planning guru. We must hope the challenge is successful.

There has been no news from Natural England (NE) as to what fees it would consider appropriate to cover management and monitoring of the Special Protection Areas (SPAs). Hart Council had agreed a mitigation fee (detailed in the last newsletter) for all new dwellings within the SPA-restricted zones but stated that a NE fee would be added to their range of costs per development type as management and monitoring costs. A developer could offer land instead, as long as it could be seen to help reduce disturbance by new residents to the SPA lands. We had understood that no new dwellings would receive planning permission until NE had stated a cost. In fact new permissions have already been granted.

There is a wider question that has bothered me for a long time: why are new dwellings for nursing homes and retirement homes not counted against the housing allocation imposed on local authorities by the SE Plan? We have had a spate of applications for nursing homes and retirement homes in recent months; the former particularly as they are not required to provide for SPA mitigation. Developers have also claimed that retirement homes should also be exempt, and yet these cater for over 50s who are far from inactive and could potentially add to public pressure on SPA land. Hart District has been set a target of 220 new dwellings per year for the next 20 years and, if central government has its way, this annual target is very likely to be increased (Hart has achieved around 400 per year in past planning periods). Retirement homes release houses onto the open market and should therefore be considered as adding to available housing.

Retirement homes serve the same purpose as building new housing.

Cody Business Park has been given permission for the data centre and small, high quality business units. On its own this is a development that would not have a dramatic impact on our local roads, the M3 junction or on housing demand. Taken along with Pyestock and the expansion of Farnborough Business Park and the Airport expansion plans it sadly becomes just another traffic congestion generator. If the roads grind to a halt all these new businesses will start looking elsewhere to locate their operations: a self-defeating level of growth. Our local authorities are aware of this but central government appears totally unaware, focusing on generating more employment.

The credit crunch and “almost recession” has led to redundancies locally but, if the government is correct in trying to convince us that recovery is on the way, then all these new jobs will not serve the local economy, they will draw more people into the area, increasing the demand for housing. A cynic might suggest that they are trying to justify a higher housing commitment by driving up job availability in an already over-supplied area.

Hart Council has been working on the plan for the future of Fleet town centre (see page 11) on which the society will comment at the consultation stage. This is to be followed by a consultation paper on the whole of Fleet and Church Crookham. Please look out for the invitations to comment on these “visions for the future”; it is important that your ideas on how the community should grow and how the towns should look in the future are made known. The future growth of the two towns will be driven by the results of the consultation process and will form part of the Local Development Framework.



In our last newsletter we discussed the closing down of the Fleet & Church Crookham Residents’ Association and the consequent invitation we were issuing to life members of the Association to join the Fleet & Church Crookham Society. We are delighted to welcome 29 former Residents’ Association households as members of the society, and six new members who came to us by other means. This now takes membership of the society to 184 households, an increase of some 20% over the past year.

Stuart Bates, Membership Secretary

Mrs JM Allen Mr R F N & Mrs I M Anderson Miss P D Atkinson Mary Barry Mrs Gill Bryant Chris Bull Sheila & Richard Buller Mr & Mrs J Carr Alan Clay Mr & Mrs A G Cooke Chris & Ann Garnett Mr & Mrs L Gough

Caroline Hammond William Hampton Tony Holbeche Mr & Mrs P Janes Bim Jinadasa Mr & Mrs Francis Kiddle Victor Knight Misses GM & VM Lipscombe Mr & Mrs D March Professor GI Meirion-Jones Mr & Mrs Ray Miller Mrs Linda Montgomery

Hilary Pease Diane & Peter Poole A T & Mrs N M J Prescott Mrs S Reynolds Alec Robinshaw Mr B W G Savill G E Smith Sarah Smith D & SE Stephens Mrs Enid R Woollett J A & Mrs P M Wright

One element will be which parts can accept more housing development, higher densities, flatted development and retirement accommodation. Infrastructure must play a critical role; how will services be expanded to keep pace with demands for education, health

services, water, sewage disposal, etc. To finish on a lighter note; the Heritage Open

Day at Fleet Library (see page 13) was a great success and I would like to express my thanks to Gillian for all the work she put in to bring it all together, to Fleet and Crookham Local History Group for the impressive and very informative and attractive displays, and Fleet Pond Society for their display of maps showing how the area changed with the arrival of the canal and railway line. Thank you to all the volunteers who turned up to look after stands, act as stewards and generally contribute to a successful day.

Colin Gray

The reputation and success of the Society over the last 40 years has been strengthened by the fundamental principle of remaining apolitical.

The Society’s membership and committee is obviously made up of people who care about the community of Fleet and Church Crookham. The same is true about the people that put themselves forward for the unenviable task of representing our community as councillors, whichever party they choose. It is therefore inevitable that the names that come forward have been fished from the same pool.

Certainly, it is true that the Society’s executive committee does, and has regularly in the past, contained members who were previously, or have gone on to be, elected councillors. Whilst some may be critical of this, the situation brings experience, both to your executive committee, and indeed to the council.

The Society does, and will continue to, respect the importance of remaining politically unbiased, but is also aware that it is entirely correct that the Society retains the freedom to be outspoken on matters affecting the amenity of residents. This of course means that the Society has to challenge the thinking behind council decisions from time to time. We do so from an amenity standpoint, not a political one.

Next May the newly created parishes of Church Crookham and Fleet will, for the first time, have elected Parish and Town Councillors. We wish them success and courage in their roles. We look forward to building the same good relationship with the Parish and Town representatives that we enjoy with the District Councillors.

Phill Gower

Our Society and Local Politics

Welcome to our New Members



I wonder what you know about the Guide Association? If you are thinking “Ging gang gooly”, darning socks and making tea then you are wrong. It is far more than that. Girls can make new friends, develop skills and achieve their full potential in a unique girl-only space.

Today in the UK there are more than 600,000 members and it continues to be the largest female-only youth organisation in the UK. At present one in three 8-year-old girls in the UK are Brownies. 50% of UK women have been involved with Guiding at some point in their lives.

Girlguiding UK is a charitable organisation and adult leaders are volunteers and not paid for their time.

The guiding movement began in 1909 when a small group of young women gatecrashed the Boy Scout rally at Crystal Palace Park in London and lobbied Robert Baden-Powell for ‘something for the girls’. Thus Girl Guides is 100 years old. That in itself is something to celebrate. At a time when things come and go rapidly, to last so long is wonderful. As things are at the moment another 100 years seems possible!

In Fleet Division, Guiding is as popular as ever. The Division covers Fleet, Church Crookham and Crondall and at the moment has 500 members and over 90 volunteers working with the girls. We have four Rainbow units, for girls aged 4–7 years, 13 Brownie units for the 7–11 year olds and seven Guide units for girls aged 11–14 years. The Senior Section is for those over 14 years, and those over 18 years can train to be a guide leader.

The number of girls that can join and the activities we provide is limited by the number of people that come forward to help. The activities that have been recently offered to our girls include climbing, dragon boating, dancing, circus skills, international travel, camping, hiking, singing, painting, cooking and community work. The list is endless.

Our centenary celebrations are giving us the opportunity to look backwards and forwards. History and tradition are important to us but also allowing the girls to have a say in the way we go forward is paramount to our way of working.

Fleet Division is trying to put together our history. The furthest we can go back is 1939 but we have many gaps in our knowledge. If you have any memories, photos or information from 1909 to now then please get in touch. It would be wonderful if we could hand on to future generations a clear picture of the past.

Apart from many exciting events organised to celebrate our centenary we have another mammoth task ahead: we need a new HQ. We have been fundraising for a long time but now see the possibility of actually starting building within our grasp. Although donations of money are great, we would like to hear from anyone who has a skill they could offer. At the moment we need a solicitor, plumber and web manager. I think this shows the diversity of the help needed.

I am always pleased to hear from people with questions, offers of help or even £1,000!!!

Judith Buchanan Division Commissioner

[email protected]

Local Clubs and Associations: Fleet Division Girl Guides

Brownies in Fleet today...and in circa 1940



For some time past, it has been apparent that car parking at Fleet station has become virtually impossible for anyone travelling by train from Fleet after the morning rush hour. Late last year, a series of visits to inspect cycle storage capacity at Fleet station revealed a similar situation for cyclists. The dire situation, that can only get worse as Fleet’s population increases, had not gone unnoticed by Hart councillors. It is on record that the members of Hart’s Overview & Scrutiny Committee (O&SC) started raising concerns about the situation at Fleet station at least as early as 2007.

Responsibility for vehicle parking facilities appears to lie with the passenger transport franchise holder South West Trains although it is on record that Network Rail, as the station landlord, could, if it wished, make changes involving re-shaping the station under permitted development rules (working, one would expect, in partnership with Hart and with Hampshire County Council).

Efforts to engage with South West Trains bore fruit in 2007 when it was agreed that a South West Trains representative would attend the April and October meetings each year of Hart’s O&SC to discuss issues relating to Fleet station (also, Winchfield and Hook stations) including vehicle parking. It is understood that so far, similar efforts to engage with Network Rail have proved fruitless. However, although the car parking issue was raised at each of the meetings held in 2007 and 2008, the record shows that no progress on the issue has been made and that at the April 2009 meeting the issue was not the subject of any further discussion.

In November 2008, Hart published its Sustainable Community Strategy 2008–2018. A key chapter (VI, page 18–19) is headed “A Sustainable and Accessible Transport System” and lists a number of priorities that include “Provide additional parking at railway stations”. The Government’s South East Plan published in May 2009 will require an annual housing build of 220 dwellings in Hart over the next 20 years, a substantial proportion of which seems likely to have to be built within easy travelling distance of Fleet station. Almost everyone accepts the need to discourage the use of the private car for travelling to and from the workplace, to help meet carbon emission reduction targets. People will not be able to use the train instead of the car unless sufficient parking capacity for cars, motor bikes and pedal bikes is put in place at railway stations.

It is therefore abundantly necessary that every possible pressure needs to be put on the railway industry to find the necessary investment to re-shape Fleet station at the earliest possible date. This must be done so as to meet the immediate vehicle parking needs

but even more importantly, the needs that will arise in the near future. Our Society has already raised both with Network Rail and with South West Trains, the need to immediately increase cycle storage capacity at Fleet station. This, we believe, could be done at relatively little cost. To address the broader issue of car parking capacity in particular, we fully intend to play our part in ensuring this matter receives the urgent attention it deserves.

John Pearson

Vehicle Parking at Fleet Railway Station



There are now three new groups working to help set up the new parish councils for Fleet, Church Crookham and Elvetham Heath, and they are currently known as the Shadow Parish Councils. All three have worked together to recruit an experienced parish clerk to take on the daily administrative duties they currently require.

Currently the shadow parish councils are negotiating the handover of facilities and land from Hart District Council, areas within their boundaries that they are prepared to take responsibility for. The Harlington Centre is one of the major facilities that is now expected to be run by a management committee comprising representatives from each new parish council. Following the recent changes of management at the centre it is expected that this can be run in a more cost-effective way in the future.

In May 2010 there will be formal Parish and Town Council elections and the shadow parish councils will hand over to the newly elected councillors. The elections are expected to run at the same time as the regular district council elections (although the timing of the general election might cause the date of the parish elections to slip). It is hoped that several of the current shadow parish councillors will stand for election so that they can carry forward the knowledge and experience that

they will have gained so far. As you can see from the table below, more community-minded people will need to put themselves forward at these forthcoming elections.

It is very important for local people to consider whether they are prepared to offer active support for their new parish council. In fact, they should consider whether they are willing to represent their local community and be prepared to stand for election, or leave that to other people, maybe to encourage those who they think would be willing, able and competent councillors. Successful parish councils are those that are made up of local people who are committed to caring about their local communities, who are able to work as a team, and are committed to make positive things happen for their area.

There are real opportunities through this process to give a real boost to the newly parished areas. There can be every expectation that the new parish/town councils will be more effective, responsive and efficient in representing their local communities and be able to support positive local initiatives. Parish/town councils can choose to be responsible for the facilities and services in their own area, for example: allotments, play areas, car parks, cemetery, lighting, litter collection, open spaces, traffic calming, footpaths and youth facilities, etc. They also have a recognised status as statutory consultee on local planning applications. Parish/town councils are seen as being responsive to the needs and wishes of their own local communities and able to monitor local requirements and to act as representative voices for their local community.

For those people who would like to have more information or about how to apply to stand for election for the new parish/town councils, please contact the Election Officers at Hart District Council on 01252 774077 or [email protected].

Jenny Radley

New Parish Council area

Shadow Council (to run from April 2009 – May 2010)

New Parish/Town Council (to start from May 2010)

Fleet Town 5 Shadow Councillors plus 1 District Councillor advisor: Sharyn Wheale

19 Town Councillors plus full-time clerk

Elvetham Heath Parish

3 Shadow Councillors plus 1 District Councillor advisor: Stephen Parker

5 Parish Councillors plus part-time clerk

Church Crookham Parish

3 Shadow Councillors plus 1 District Councillor advisor: James Radley

10 Parish Councillors plus part-time clerk

Contact details for the shadow parish councils may be found at: www.hart.gov.uk/index/your_council/newparishes

Parishing the Unparished Areas of Fleet, Church Crookham and Elvetham Heath



Minding the Garden gets the Green Light! Over recent years, Hart Voluntary Action (HVA) has become increasingly aware of the large number of older residents living in the district who are finding it ever more difficult to manage their gardens. These concerns were recently confirmed by a survey carried out by Hampshire County Council amongst older people, concluding that gardening was the second largest concern, after transport, for older people living in the county. Managing the garden was often beyond an older person’s physical ability and paying for garden services, averaging £15 per hour, way beyond their means.

The question facing HVA was what could it do, if anything, to help? Inspiration came in the form of the Volunteer Centre, who urgently required volunteer opportunities for individuals who had experience of mental distress or learning difficulties; increasing numbers of whom were approaching the Centre in the hope of finding a suitable volunteer placement which might help them to develop the necessary confidence and skill set to help them back to the workplace. The

individuals concerned often required a little extra support in order to take their first tentative step into volunteering; what better way then to combine the two needs in an ecotherapy gardening project? Minding the Garden’ was born!

Led by Minding the Garden’s horticulturalist Pat Nield, and supported by gardening mentors, the volunteers visit the gardens of

older people throughout Hart. Generally it requires between two and four sessions in order to return the garden to a manageable state; in return all the team require from the garden owner is a cup of tea and if they’re lucky a piece of cake! The garden provides a safe, friendly, environment for volunteers to ‘find their feet’ and progress towards either ‘mainstream’ volunteer roles or in some instances paid employment, whilst also reaping the benefits of outdoor activity that ecotherapy offers. Our current volunteer team delights not only in the huge satisfaction of helping the older community but also love learning how to grow fruit and vegetables on our ‘garden share’ allotment down at the Views.

Whilst we continue to receive unreserved support from local councillors and organisations, HVA is delighted to have recently secured a 3-year, £142,000 grant from the Big Lottery/Ecominds, which will enable the project to extend from its current 1 day a week operation to 3 days. This will enable a further 100+ gardens to enter the programme within the next 12 months and offer ‘supported’ volunteer opportunities to a further 65 Hart residents. A real community project!

Sue Vincent

Located in the Civic Offices, Fleet, Hart Voluntary Action forms part of Hampshire’s ‘Council for Voluntary Services’ network. A charitable organisation, HVA provides support and information to local voluntary and statutory organisations throughout Hart district; probably the easiest way to describe its activities is to liken it to a ‘Citizens Advice Bureau’ for these groups. From funding advice to recruiting volunteers, HVA offers a wealth of support to local organisations, as well as delivering a number of community support projects throughout the district.

To find out more about HVA call 01252 815652 or e-mail [email protected].

If you would like further information in relation to Minding the Garden, or are interested in finding out about our new Garden Share pilot which will look to ensure the sustainability of

older people’s gardens whilst addressing the need for allotment space in Hart, please contact Sue Vincent on 01252 815652 or [email protected].

For the one in four people in England and Wales who will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives there are few treatment options immediately available. Ecotherapy is a natural, free and accessible treatment that boosts mental wellbeing with gardening being one of the best examples.



Update on the Plans for the Future at Farnborough Airport The big news is that TAG Aviation, the main operator and new owner of Farnborough Airport, has applied for an increase in overall annual flight movements from 28,000 to 50,000 per year. This would include an increase in weekend and Bank Holiday flights from the 5,000 per year (as granted in Spring 2008) to 8,900 flights per year. This new application is intended to last until 2019, after which TAG retains the option to apply for yet more flight movements.

This application came in within weeks of the publication of the Farnborough Airport Master Plan which TAG produced in April. Their Master Plan can be seen on the TAG Aviation website (see box at foot of page).

The 6-week consultation for the new application started in mid-June and over 3,000 comments were made. Apparently about 90 were letters were of support, so it appears there is a strong feeling against this planning application. The deadline for comment was at the end of July and at the time of writing (end of September), we are still waiting to hear when the important decision-making meeting of the Development Control Committee will be held. The application will be decided by the host planning authority, Rushmoor Borough Council (RBC). It is said that this will be a special meeting to decide this one application and it will be open to the public to attend. They also hope

to set up a webcast. As usual we will try to notify as many local people as possible who are affected by these flights when we hear of the meeting date.

The FCCS has responded strongly to the application by objecting on several grounds:

i) Noise: this is a major concern to many local people and there is still no clear understanding about how noise control will be provided to protect residents should the number of flights increase.

ii) Quiet Flying Programme: so far the investigative work suggested by the steering group has not provided clear evidence that noise of aircraft in flight can be significantly reduced at the current level of flight operations. In fact, the QFP has not considered the impact of any increase in movements, therefore the QFP reports cannot be used to justify any application to increase flight movements. However, TAG is attempting to use the QFP report from March 2009 to support its planning application. The three local interest group members of the QFP working group (one of whom represents the FCCS) felt so strongly that they made a statement to RBC to point out this anomaly.

iii) Public safety: there is no clear explanation of how the Public Safety Zone (PSZ) can remain as effectively the same size and shape for 50,000 flight movements as it is for 28,000 movements. In fact, if the underlying PSZ criteria have indeed changed, why has the current PSZ not reduced significantly in the meantime? TAG cannot imply that an increase in flights will make no difference to the PSZ. What will an increase in flights mean with regard to new residential developments under the flight path, particularly in relation to the QEB site? How will the proposed increase be taken into account for any new schools or medical centres that would be part of the development?

iv) Air quality: this is also a major concern to many local people, as proved through the series of recent consultations with regard to the airport. TAG needs to measure and report levels of particulates and unspent fuel levels which are a cause for concern from local residents, as indicated in the complaints reports.

v) Climate change and carbon footprint: there is incomplete consideration of how TAG will address the carbon emissions from aircraft. TAG has produced a Sustainability and Climate

Farnborough Airport and the Farnborough Aerodrome Consultative Committee (FACC)

• TAG Aviation website: www.tagaviation.com/TagFarnboroughAirport/tabid/84/Default.aspx • The TAG application can be found on the Rushmoor Borough Council (RBC) website:

www.ukplanning.com/ukp/showCaseFile.do?councilName=Rushmoor+Borough+Council&appNumber =09/00313/REVPP

• Other details and information about Farnborough Airport can be found on the RBC website: www.rushmoor.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=3515



Change Charter in its Master Plan that addresses measures at the airport itself, but includes very little to deal with the wholly inefficient use of aircraft (measured in terms of passengers per aircraft per mile flown). TAG should prove it will control and reduce aircraft emissions which will have an effect on the environment, and not simply concentrate on ground-based measures.

vi) Environment: there is no biodiversity plan available to show what can be done to enhance local ecology. Fleet Pond in particular requires immediate restoration following damage due to siltation resulting from work that was done to enable the business operations at the airport.

vii) Compensation: TAG does not explain how it will compensate local people who find the operations intolerable.

viii) Local road and traffic impacts: we have some concern about adequacy of car park capacity at the entrance gate to avoid any obstruction on the nearby highway.

ix) RBC Airport Area Action Plan: this action plan needs information to be clear about the operations beyond 2019 up to 2026, to cover the period of RBC’s emerging Local Development Framework (LDF). TAG has not provided any information to predict its ambitions beyond 2019 with this application.

x) Employment: benefits relating to employment levels seem to be exaggerated.

The FCCS committee feels that TAG should not be permitted to increase the number of flights, at least not until the negative impacts on residents and the environment are clearly addressed.

In fact this application seems to be made in a bit of a rush, as it comes at a time when flights using Farnborough have reduced somewhat, due to the current economic situation for business companies. TAG is not yet at full capacity for flights, so it should first allow time to resolve outstanding issues.

One of these continuing issues of concern is why so many flights are being given permission to abandon noise abatement procedures, particularly at weekends and Bank Holidays, when there are conflicting flights in the flight path? The reason given is that there are many other low level flights from nearby aerodromes, but this is not a new situation. When Air Traffic Control gives permission to abandon noise abatement procedures, the pilots from Farnborough are allowed to fly over other residential areas without need to justify noise impact. This is happening on a regular basis especially at weekends and Bank Holidays and during the summer, when noise disturbance for

residents is most sensitive. How can an application for more flights be justified when this matter has not been fully addressed and resolved?

Meanwhile, TAG has been talking about the possibility of applying for more controlled airspace to extend the control that it has over the routes taken by aircraft overflying the area. This may help to reduce the problem of noise disturbance, but TAG admits the process would take about 2 years to process and there is no guarantee it would actually be given that permission. Surely until such action is taken and granted, and proven to reduce noise impact on residents, then this application is simply premature. TAG should be able to prove that it can reduce noise impact for residents before it can expect to apply for more flights. Quiet Flying Programme (QFP) The trials for the southerly route have continued over the summer period; this trial requires that southbound flights turn early over Beacon Hill to avoid the more populated residential areas.

Action is still expected for analysis of the measurements taken during the current southern route trials. Such analysis is required to show what benefits can be demonstrated from these trials. Meanwhile it seems that the number of complaints from local residents from Fleet and Church Crookham has increased again, and the frustration is that so many complaints seem to arise from flights that have been given permission to abandon noise abatement procedures due to conflicting aircraft operating at nearby airports. This must be addressed at future QFP meetings. Farnborough Aerodrome Consultative Committee (FACC) There were two interesting presentations given at the latest FACC meeting in July. One was on designation of airports. Concern had been expressed that unless Farnborough was made up to be a designated airport then the FACC



may not be quite so effective. For instance the FACC is not currently a statutory consultee on planning applications at the airport, which seems very topical. In the meantime it is up to each member to respond to any such consultation if and as they feel necessary, rather than as a recognised body.

The other presentation was given by the Head of Controlled Airspace Policy at the CAA, to explain the Airspace Change Process. TAG has made it clear that this may be an option

should it wish to have more control for air movements around Farnborough Airport. However it would be quite a complicated and drawn-out process.

It was left for a future meeting of the FACC to discuss whether it would require action to be taken on these subjects, although both issues would appear to bring some benefits.

The next scheduled meetings will take place on Monday 30 November and Thursday 4 March (this latter date is subject to change) at 2pm at the Park Centre BAE Systems. The meetings, which are open to the public, are held three times a year in March, July and November.

Although these meetings are open to the public, they are not public meetings. Members of the public are permitted to ask questions during a 15 minute session, often towards the end of the meeting. The Chairman, with his discretion, may allow members of the public to speak during agenda items. The FACC provides an informative website www.facc.org.uk.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any issues or questions that you would like to be raised at future FACC meetings.

Jenny Radley 01252 628751; [email protected]

TAG Aviation telephone complaint/enquiry line: 01252 526001 Anyone who has concern about a particular flight, the direction, height, noise or timing should ring this number to register their concern. The complainant must provide their name and address to receive a written explanation, as well as details of their concern, time, date and description. This line is serviced by an answer phone out of office hours.

TAG has now also introduced a new contact system for e-mail: [email protected].

Complaints received will be recorded and reported in the same way as for the telephone complaint line; however, it will allow for quicker responses to be submitted by return of email.

It is important that people notify TAG of their concerns so that this data can be recorded and reported. It is part of their agreement with the local planning authority that they keep track of public concern.

Airport tours TAG provide weekly minibus tours of the airport for local interest groups. These are held each Tuesday morning starting shortly before 10am and run until 12.30pm and include a full tour of the airfield, including a visit to the hangar and to the control tower, which offers panoramic views of the airport. Each tour is guided by Tony Knight, who has worked at the airfield for 50 years and has a wealth of experience and information. He will explain the history, the current operations and future plans for the airport.

FCCS has organised a tour on Tuesday 15 December for members. There are still spaces available on the 14-seater minibus. If you would be interested in joining this tour please contact Colin Gray (contact details on page 16).

The Local Involvement Network for Hampshire (“the LINk”) is recruiting members. Its aim is to provide a voice for local people in the planning, design, commissioning and provision of health and social care services. The LINk is still being set up, but the aim is for members to be able to get involved in working parties on particular issues, or to limit their involvement to online comment or responding to consultations. Anyone interested in joining the LINk can find out more by writing to PO Box 3408, Melksham, SN12 7WR or by looking at www.communityvoicesonline.org.

The LINk is currently inviting members to respond to the consultation on the Government’s Green Paper “Shaping the Future of Care Together”. This Green Paper sets out the Government’s proposed options for reforming the care and support system for adults.

Judith Sutherland

Local Health Matters



In the article in the Spring/Summer 2009 Newsletter describing the efforts of the David Fearn Memorial Committee to look into and promote ideas that would serve to commemorate and preserve our late chairman David Fearn’s memory, we mentioned David’s unique contribution in the field of space rocket science, namely the development of a novel propulsion system for space satellites and deep space probes, known as ion propulsion.

According to recent reports in the national press, a team of British engineers has designed a spacecraft, known as a “gravity tractor”, that would be deployed should an orbiting asteroid capable of causing massive destruction be detected as being on a collision course with the Earth. The spacecraft, weighing some 10 tons, would be launched many years ahead of the expected collision event and positioned about 100 feet from the asteroid, where it would exert a small but continuous gravitational pull on the asteroid over a period of many years, sufficient to gradually alter the asteroid’s course, so it ended up missing the earth.

The gravity tractor spacecraft would need to use four of the highly efficient low energy

propulsion systems, known as ion thrusters, pioneered by David Fearn, to gradually shift the position of the gravity tractor, causing the gravitational pull that it would have on the asteroid, to “tug” it away from a collision course.

So who can say? In the years to come, David Fearn’s name might be commemorated for his key role in the development of a method that would have literally saved the world from a destructive force that might have turned out to be as much as 100,000 times stronger than that of an atomic bomb.

John Pearson

Saving the World from an Asteroid Collision? Image: D

an Durda, FIA

AA

/B612 Foundation

One thing that we all know will happen is change. We can expect shopping patterns to change over the next 20 years – it is already happening due to the growth in internet shopping. This causes me concern that if nothing is done, Fleet town centre will decline as fewer people shop there.

As a consequence, Hart District Council has commissioned a study to produce a long-term vision for the development of Fleet town centre. It is to be published next year – together with Hart’s development plan for the next 20 years.

Hart is working with Hampshire County Council, Fleet Town Council and others in producing the vision. Denning Male Polisano, local architects with extensive experience of this type of work, has been appointed and the project team is being led by Martin Pearson, whose last project – a vision for Horsham town centre – was highly acclaimed.

This is a major opportunity for everyone to have a say in shaping the future of their town. The vision must be a blueprint and not a straitjacket. For it to be truly meaningful it will

have to be owned and supported by businesses and residents alike. Possible areas for improvement include bigger food shops, more leisure activities (such as 10-pin bowling) for families and young people, a proper town square, etc.

There will be a public exhibition on 4–5 December in Fleet town centre enabling everyone to have their say about the ideas for the town centre.

The exhibition will also enable people to comment on a study into character areas within Fleet, which should help prevent the wholesale conversion of roads of family homes into rows of blocks of flats – a phenomenon that has blighted many other towns in the past few years.

We want this to be about the whole community – not just a few councillors – having a say in how the town should develop.

Cllr Richard Appleton

Portfolio Holder for Planning Hart District Council

Vision for Fleet Town Centre



As many will recall, the Licensing Act 2003 transferred responsibility for the licensing of premises selling alcoholic refreshment etc from local magistrates to local government. In our area, this was to Hart District Council and in particular, Hart's Licensing Committee, made up of 10 elected district councillors (out of the 35 that make up the full council). Their names and contact details can, of course, be found on Hart's website (www.hart.gov.uk).

However, many of the licensing powers enjoyed by Hart District Council are exercised by Hart's Licensing Officers under schemes of officer delegation. At the time the new Act came into force, each local authority had to put in place a Licensing Policy. Hart's Licensing Policy, in common with those of other local authorities, was based on a generic policy structure set out in government guidelines. After a period of consultation that included public consultation, Hart's Licensing Policy was approved by its Licensing Committee and provides the basis on which licensing decisions are now made. Although now in operation, the Policy is required to undergo periodic review by the Licensing Committee and was last reviewed in 2007. The key objectives of the Licensing Act 2003 and hence key objectives embedded within the Licensing Policy are: (1) Prevention of Crime and Disorder, (2) Public Safety, (3) Prevention of Public Nuisance, and (4) Protection of Children from Harm. Establishments selling alcohol are required to hold a Premises Licence and key employees a Personal Licence.

Local residents

When the transfer of responsibilities took place, those premises already holding a Licence were allowed to have their licence automatically re-validated under the new arrangements, provided the conditions of the licence remained the same. Where changes, such as extensions in opening hours, were requested, the licensee had to apply for a new licence. The procedure for obtaining a new licence involved (and still involves) the publication of details of the application in the local press coupled with the display of notices

outside the establishment and on Council notice boards. Hart now also posts information on licensing applications on its PublicAccess website. In addition, relevant bodies such as the police, fire service and environmental health service are sent details. Local residents are not

directly informed about new licence applications (because of an absence of a workable definition as to which residents would qualify as being "local" to the premises). However, local residents (and the public bodies already mentioned) can raise objections to a new licence application. Such objections carry more weight if they can be related to concerns about any likely effects on meeting the four Licensing Act objectives listed above and if they can be shown to run contrary to the Council's Licensing Policy.

In the absence of any objections, new licence applications are granted automatically (by Hart's Licensing Officers under the scheme of delegation). Where objections are raised, the Licensing Officers first attempt to mediate between the objecting parties and the applicant. Successful mediation again results in the licence being granted automatically. Only where immediate mediation fails is the Licensing Committee itself called into action.

In such cases, a three-member panel of the Licensing Committee is appointed and conducts a formal hearing in public, at which all parties can present their case. During the course of the hearing it is sometimes possible to achieve a compromise between the objecting parties and the applicant. After due deliberation, the Licensing Committee Panel determines the application and in a decision to grant an application, may vary the terms and impose conditions. Should the applicant remain dissatisfied with the Panel's decision, they may appeal to the local magistrates’ court which can review the Panel's decision and in practice, make proposals that can result in a compromise, leading to the eventual granting of an application (with conditions etc).

John Pearson (Former Member of

Hart’s Licensing Committee)

Licensing of Premises Selling Alcohol – Who Now Regulates and How?



Back in February, we received an email from the Civic Trust inviting us to take part in Heritage Open Days, held every year on the second weekend in September. The text in the email that particularly intrigued me was:

“Sometimes, civic societies tell us they couldn't take part because there weren't any great and interesting buildings in their area to open up to the public. We would like to challenge this. Every place, as small or humble it may be, has a story to tell.”

We discussed this challenge at an executive committee meeting in March, and I volunteered to start discussions with the Fleet and Crookham Local History Group about possible locations for such an event.

After some preliminary discussions we decided that, with less than 6 months to go, it might be too ambitious to open up a building this year, but the History Group was interested in co-hosting a heritage exhibition at the library.

Over the coming months we had several meetings with the very helpful Fleet Library Manager, Sharon Rhymes, and got other local societies involved in providing display materials and help on the day, including Fleet Pond Society, the Surrey and Hampshire Canal Society and the North East Hampshire Archaeology Society.

Publicity employed a scattergun approach – posters throughout the area, leaflets at the library, submissions to church magazines, an article in the Fleet News & Mail and postings on Facebook and local websites.

We were also lucky enough to be one Fleet Waitrose’s “Community Matters” charities for July, receiving £200 in funding towards the event.

The event took place on 12 September and was more popular than our wildest dreams – with over 200 members of the public visiting us, including 30 children, most of whom took part in our quiz. All the societies involved made new members, and also had the opportunity to sell

their books and publications. All societies worked hard to make sure the

event was a real success, and there were several comments about how nice it was to be working together. It just goes to show what can happen as the result of a challenge!

Gillian Wain

Fleet & Crookham: Heritage on Your Doorstep



Fleet & Church Crookham Society Activities March–October 2009 Note: Attendances at routine meetings are not reported below, eg the meetings of the Planning Advisory Group, the Planning Committee of Hart DC, and six-weekly Society Committee meetings. 3 April Funeral service of Cllr Hugo Eastwood. Chairman represented FCCS. 14 April Hart Planning Enforcement. Meeting to assess how successful Hart DC is at enforcing

planning conditions. FCCS represented. 22 April Hart Local Strategic Partnership Housing Theme Group meeting. FCCS represented. 22 April Society’s AGM. Held at Crookham Memorial Hall. The Society became a Life Member of

Surrey and Hampshire Canal Society following presentation by guest speaker Roger Cansdale (see page 1).

24 April Hart Local Strategic Partnership. An ‘Away Day’ held at Victoria Hall, Hartley Wintney. FCCS represented.

27 April Hart Voluntary Action Forum. Local voluntary groups spread awareness of their roles, including the Society. FCCS represented.

6 May Hart Local Strategic Partnership Housing Event. Held at the Church on the Heath dealing mainly with issues of housing the homeless and those in need. FCCS represented.

20 May Rushmoor Borough Council consultation on the Farnborough Airport Area Action Plan. Response submitted by FCCS.

5 June Unveiling of nature interpretation panel in memory of Alison Macallan at Basingbourne Heath (see picture, right).

10 June British Army Day. Community relationships presentation held at The Anvil, Basingstoke. FCCS represented.

12 June Quiet Flying Programme meeting for local interest group members. FCCS represented by Jenny Radley.

16 June Quiet Flying Programme meeting at Farnborough Airport. FCCS represented by Jenny Radley.

2 July Farnborough Airport Consultative Committee meeting. FCCS represented by Jenny Radley.

3 July Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment. Special meeting with Cllr Richard Appleton and the Society’s Committee.

6 July Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment. FCCS comments submitted to Hart’s Planning Policy Team in response to a public consultation questionnaire.

7 July Hart Housing Forum, held in morning at Hart Council Offices. FCCS represented. 7 July Hart and Rushmoor Passenger Transport Forum, held in afternoon at Hart Leisure

Centre. FCCS represented. 7 July Hart District Association of Parish &Town Councils meeting, evening. FCCS

represented. 11 July Fleet Carnival. Marshalling assistance given by FCCS committee members. 16 July Heritage Open Day. Meeting with the Fleet & Church Crookham Local History Group to

discuss forthcoming Fleet Library exhibition. 20 July Basingstoke Canal Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management

Proposals. FCCS comments submitted to Hart’s Planning Policy Team in response to a public consultation questionnaire.

21 July Water Scrutiny meeting at HDC. FCCS represented. 22 July TAG application for increase in flight movements from 28,000 to 50,000 per year at

Farnborough Airport (see page 8). FCCS letter of objection sent in.



27 July Hart Voluntary Action Forum. FCCS represented. 1 August Nursing home application proposed at 40–42 Kings Road. A letter of objection was

submitted by the FCCS and the application has since been refused. 4 August Application for 14 new houses proposed at 26–32 Bowenhurst Road. A letter of objection

was submitted by the FCCS and the application has since been refused. 11 August Amusement arcade proposed at 208 Fleet Road. The FCCS has objected. At the time of

writing the application is due to be determined at the next Planning Committee meeting and has the support of planning officers.

12 September Heritage Open Day. Exhibition arranged jointly by three local societies at Fleet Library (see page 13).

22 September Hart’s Communication & Marketing Audit. FCCS response to a Hart LSP-sponsored questionnaire submitted.

22 September Inadequacy of Vehicle Parking Capacity at Fleet Station. A letter submitted to Hart DC in response to Hart’s invitation to attend Overview & Scrutiny Committee meetings with the railway industry, outlining FCCS concerns regarding lack of adequate parking provision for cars and bicycles (see page 5).

30 September Hart’s LDF Characterisation Study Workshop (Fleet & Church Crookham). FCCS represented by Andrew Macallan and John Pearson.

1 October Hart Voluntary Action Annual General meeting. FCCS represented. 7 October Hart Council Planning Policy Forum. FCCS represented. 9 October Hart Road Safety Council meeting. FCCS represented. 15 October Full Hart Local Strategic Partnership meeting. FCCS represented.

From the archives... The Society has recently dared to open the dusty vault containing the minute books and archives of the Society going back to the first committee meeting on 16 December 1961! In future newsletters we hope to bring you a few snippets extracted from these archive records. 45 years ago (November 1964) The FCCS committee write to British Railways seeking an improvement in car parking facilities at the station (How things have changed! – see article on page 5) 20 years ago (July 1989) The first reference to the Planning Advisory Group (PAG) in the FCCS minute book. The FCCS has been represented at virtually every meeting of PAG since then.

The eagle-eyed readers amongst you may have noticed that the Civic Trust logo has disappeared from our front page. This is because the Civic Trust sadly went into administration due to lack of funding in April following over 50 years of excellent work.

In its place has arisen the “Civic Society Initiative” – the stated purpose of which is to establish the means within 12 months to ensure provision of a national voice and support for the civic society movement.

We have watched this initiative with interest and are one of the more than 650 civic societies that have been asked to be kept in touch with the future arrangements for supporting societies and providing a champion for the movement. We have also donated £100 towards the initiative to help them on their way.

The Chairman of the Civic Society Initiative says that while there has been no decision as to whether a new organisation is even needed, it is essential that the solution meets the needs of civic societies and other similar community groups. The Civic Society Initiative will take an open approach and explore a full range of possibilities for the movement, including the development of the mission, vision, values, funding, governance and name of a new organisation, or the means to do this, if it is determined one is required. The outcome will be a set of proposals seeking to combine immediate practical viability with a 3–5 year plan of the future.

More information is available at www.civicsocietyinitiative.org.uk. Gillian Wain

Loss of the Civic Trust



The views and comments expressed in this Newsletter are those of the contributor and not necessarily those of the Fleet & Church Crookham Society. Neither the authors nor the Society accept responsibility for

any use to which the information contained in this Newsletter may be put.

Chairman: Colin Gray, Fleet 616183, email: [email protected] Secretary: Judith Sutherland Treasurer: Stuart Bates Executive Committee: Judy Armstrong, Mary Barry, John Pearson Membership Secretary: Stuart Bates, Fleet 621141, email: [email protected] Co-opted Members: Jenny Radley (FACC Representative), Fleet 628751, email: [email protected] Phill Gower (Planning Matters), Fleet 624506, email: [email protected] Andrew Macallan (Town Health Check) Newsletter Editor: Gillian Wain, email: [email protected]

We welcome suggestions of topics for inclusion in this twice-yearly Newsletter, and events for listing in the diary. Please send contributions to [email protected] or phone Gillian Wain on Fleet 677536. We encourage members to receive the Newsletter by email instead of printed copy. Please let Membership Secretary Stuart Bates know if you would like to receive the Newsletter by email only.

FCCS Committee Contact Details

Diary of Forthcoming Events Sat 7 Nov Fleet Lions’ Fireworks Fiesta, The Views Wed 25 Nov Fleet Christmas Festivities Fri 27 Nov Hart Voluntary Action Voluntary Sector Day, 9.30am–3pm, Victoria Hall,

Hartley Wintney Sun 29 Nov Italian Market, Gurkha Square, Fleet Mon 30 Nov Farnborough Aerodrome Consultative Committee meeting (see page 10), 2pm, Park

Centre BAE Systems, Farnborough Fri 4–Sat 5 Dec Vision for Fleet consultation in Fleet town centre (see page 11)

Tue 15 Dec Farnborough Airport Tour for FCCS members (see page 10) Thu 21 Jan Hart Local Strategic Partnership Meeting, Hart District Council offices Thu 4 Mar Farnborough Aerodrome Consultative Committee meeting (see page 10), 2pm, Park

Centre BAE Systems, Farnborough Thu 8 Apr Hart Local Strategic Partnership Meeting, Hart District Council offices Wed 21 Apr Fleet & Church Crookham Society AGM, 7.30pm, Crookham War Memorial Hall,

Sandy Lane, Church Crookham Fri 5 Feb Hart Road Safety Council, Hart District Council offices

BC Borough Council CC County Council FACC Farnborough Aerodrome Consultative

Committee (H)DC (Hart) District Council IAS Interim Avoidance Strategy LDF Local Development Framework, which is

currently being drawn up to replace the Hart District Local Plan

(H)LSP (Hart) Local Strategic Partnership PAG Planning Advisory Group [of Fleet &

Church Crookham Councillors]

PCT Primary Care Trust SANGS Sustainable Alternative Natural Green

Space SINC Sites of Importance for Nature

Conservation SPA Special Protection Area SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest TAG Farnborough Airport operating company RBC Rushmoor Borough Council. SPA Special Protection Area

Acronyms used in our newsletter

fleet and church crookham society

Documents

fleet crookham

hampshire canal society

unparished areas of

fleet railway station

fleet town centre

fleet division girl

pm crookham war memorial

welcome articles