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Social Secretary
I will be resigning my position as Social Secretary at the 2012 AGM, so it will be necessary to find a replacement for me. It was in 1999 that I became the Social Secretary, after Mrs Mary Duly had resigned from this position, and I feel that owing to recent health problems I must step down. So someone please step forward now! I will be organising the New Year Social Event and the coach trip to Bristol, just a few days before the AGM, so whoever fills my place will need to organise and cater for the Summer Social Event on 14th July 2012. Doreen and I will assist if required.
Our trip to London in June to see the Olympic Village, with a full coach of 49 members, was a great success and it was a most interesting experience.
As you know the trip to Bristol is on 9th June 2012 and we have a 49-seater coach, we must fill all 49 seats or we will make a loss, which the Society will need to cover. I know it is still early but the response has not been very good, I am only asking for a (returnable) deposit of £10.00 for a seat, with the remainder by the end of May 2012. If the coach is not full by the middle of May I will cancel the trip, as it will not be viable. Cheques are not cashed until sometime in May 2012, when I need to pay the final money to the Coach Company and City & Village Tours Ltd who organise the tour when we get to Bristol. Brian Pladdys
Planning Sub-Committee
The Planning Sub-Committee continues to inspect current applications for Conservation Areas (CA) and Listed Buildings (LB), as well as the general weekly list of applications. Some important applications are outlined below:
Royal Clarence Yard, Weevil Lane, Slaughter House (LB) The final external decorating is underway, with the interior left as an empty shell for a prospective buyer to fit out as required. The building is now on the market. The application for a revised car parking strategy, and new parking spaces, has been withdrawn and will now be considered alongside an application for new development at the north end of the site, where we believe underground car parking will be proposed. The opposite wing to the Bakery (Block F1), which was completed at the end of June, is well worth a visit. The original building was destroyed in WW2.
The Railway Inn Forton Road (LB & CA) We had no objection to the recent proposal for 2, two-bedroom houses, 1 three-bedroom maisonette, a shop, and external alterations, including a new door and window.
The Royal Arms Stoke Road (LB & CA) Planning permission was granted for this application in September and work has now started. We look forward to seeing it restored, especially the canopy.
The White Swan Forton Road (CA) The latest proposal for change of use includes an extension to the rear elevation to facilitate conversion to 5 1-bedroom flats. Unlike the previous application, no change is proposed to the front elevation or the roof of the public house, but existing doors and windows are to be replaced. A much improved planning application.
Land at Daedalus, Chark Lane, Lee-on-the-Solent (part CA) An Outline Planning Application has been registered for an employment-led, mixed-use scheme for new buildings, and reuse of existing buildings. Various uses include leisure, hotel, community and up to 200 residential units and 32 units for sheltered accommodation. We had no objection in principle, but commented on several areas of concern, notably: priority for the restoration of Listed Buildings and historical buildings, the protection of the Conservation Area, and safeguarding of proposed employment uses and established business/leisure uses, including the Hovercraft Museum. We also commented on the need for an improved road access into and out of Gosport.
Rowner Cottages Rowner Lane This application will now be discussed at the Regulatory Board on November 22nd 2011. Our Chairman will make a deputation in support of this important application to restore the cottages.
Liaison Meetings with Gosport Borough Council Officers
Haslar Hospital (LB&CA) A pre-application has been submitted to the Planning Dept. but we are advised that this is in the very early stages of discussion, and may take some time to resolve, before it is finally registered.
Gunboat Yard and Guardhouses Haslar Road (LB) We have been advised that funds are available only for clearing the undergrowth from the buildings and remedial works, which are now progressing. Defence Estates have no plans to sell these properties.
Battery No1 Stokes Bay Road The application for Listed Monument status is currently being assessed by English Heritage.
Priddy’s Hard Heritage Area The site is currently on the market as the owners, Portsmouth Naval Based Property Trust, are looking for a development partner.
ARP Building, The Avenue Recently Listed Grade 2, the building is to be used by the Diving Museum (now based at Battery No 2), as a store and reading room with further plans being discussed for future events. May Bumford
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