No To Housing on Redbridge Lane

I am objecting to a planning application for 350 homes along Redbridge Lane.

My colleagues, Cllr Paul Holmes and Cllr Ben Walker have written formally to Test Valley Borough Council opposing the development.

Redbridge Lane is a very narrow country lane and is part of the local gap between Nursling and Southampton. It is also designated as countryside under Test Valley's local planning policies.

I think it is very important that we maintain the local gap between the city and Nursling and I think the traffic implications would be severe for the local area.

Redbridge Lane Housing Plans Delayed

I have been fighting plans to build 300 homes along Redbridge Lane, opposite Five Acre Field. The land falls under Test Valley and I have repeatedly voiced my concerns with the Leader of Test Valley Borough Council.

I am very worried about the loss of open space between Nursling and Southampton and about traffic problems from over development.

As a result of my lobbying and that of my colleague Cllr Paul Holmes (pictured above) we have secured a commitment that development along Redbridge Lane will not take place until at least 2023.

This is good news but it is not an end to our campaign to stop over development in Redbridge.

Mansel Park Gala Day

Well done to Millbrook Towers and District Community Association, The Friends of Mansel Park and The Mansel Pavilion who organised a fantastic Gala Day.

Better Lightning Needed On Our Estates

I spent Friday night out on the Millbrook Estate with residents of Lower Brownhill Road and with the new Conservative Councillor for the area, Paul Holmes.

Local people were keen to show us where improvements could be made to the area. The new city council administration is investing £1.5m next year into the Millbrook and Maybush estates. Top of the list for local people in Lower Brownhill Road was better lighting at the back of the flats, in the alley ways which connect through to Flamborough Close and in the flat porches.

David Lloyd Visit

I recently visited the David Lloyd Sport club off Brownhill Way to meet with their manager and to discuss local issues.

I had a tour of the club which is a fantastic facility and heard about the excellent work the club does with local schools which use their tennis courts.

After the recent traveller incursions in the area (on the David Lloyd site and at Lordshill district) I was keen to discuss what measures could be taken to prevent the problem in the future. The council recently put in security measures in around Lordshill district centre, installing barriers and building up grass banks to protect the open space areas.

Sedbergh Road Residents

This afternoon I spent a couple of hours at the Sedbergh Road Tenants and Residents Association open day on Sedbergh Green.

I went a long with our newly elected Conservative Councillor for Redbridge, Paul Holmes, to meet the new residents association and to talk to local people.

I was able to discuss with local residents some of the important initiatives by the new council in the Millbrook and Redbridge area.

£1.5m of Improvements for Millbrook and Maybush

We are allocating £1.5m of funding to the Maybush and Millbrook estates next year to improve the local area. This funding might be spent on improving open spaces, parking and reducing crime. It was very helpful to talk to local people about their ideas and priorities.

After School Sport

A new after school sport programme is being launched in September in conjunction with Southampton Solent University. This will see sports undergraduates getting involved in sports coaching through the schools.

Extra Policing

We are pushing ahead with our plans to scrap council tax for Southampton people who sign up as Special Constables. The local police are fully behind the initiative and we are hoping that the Home Office will grant us approval to adopt the scheme in April next year.