Developer in a pickle over Hart’s Quality of Life No.2 position

The national press recently announced a new Quality of Life survey and Hart District was number 2 out of 250 authorities in Great Britain!  

The study by Halifax Home Insurance was based on a range of key indicators, such as employment, house price, house quality, health, traffic flows, earnings, etc.

Councillor Simpson responded to the survey in the Fleet News:

“We live in a beautiful part of Hampshire in a beautiful part of the country and we like living here because it is so nice.”

Also the Council’s ‘Hart Corporate Plan 2006 and beyond’ report issued earlier this year quotes: ‘Hart – where quality of life matters’

The latest Local Development Framework (LDF) consultation document [click here] mentions Quality of Life on 53 occurrences. See page 15 for the Overall Strategic Objectives and consider how the Pyestock Mega Depot will meet those objectives!

It will be interesting how our elected Councillors react to the pending revised Pyestock planning application for one of South England’s largest Mega Depots, so close to residential areas in Hart and Rushmoor and the resulting impact on our quality of life inc. constant HGV traffic 24 hours per day and 7 days per week?  

There could be up to 12 warehouse sheds at Pyestock. One of Pyestock’s mega shed is expected to be over 340% larger than this HGV generating shed >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

House Price impact

Unfortunately, the impact on house prices is not a material consideration for any planning application and is not a valid reason to object. However, the thought of a potential reduction in house price can be very stressful.

Especially, if living in a high quality of life area (where houses are trading at a premium).

The ‘straight talking’ Pru is trying to get us to believe the 24 x 7 Mega Depot will not have a significant impact, they even recently renamed Hartland Park as a ‘Business Park’ yet they still want 1,500,000 sq ft of warehouse floorspace (there would be considerably more concrete hardstanding for the overall site, including HGV, trailer and car parking, etc.).  

The largest Pyestock mega shed would be over 140% larger than this monster. >>>>

The Pru’s partner Astral Development continues to show selective pictures of office blocks on their website as ‘examples of other Astral developments’. However, these offices are typically up to 5% of the total area of the Mega Shed, as per this mega shed photo.

The second largest Pyestock mega shed would be approximately the size of this HGV generating shed >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

If you have not yet objected then you should consider the impact on your quality of life, as it will be more than a reduction in house price that you should be concerned about. Individual adult members of the family can object and you do not need to live in Hart. The more objections then the more the Council have to consider the Quality of Life impact! Objecting is quick, simple and easy [click here].

Branston Mega Depot in a Pickle (previous home of Branston Pickle)

An example of an Astral advertised [click here] Mega Depot they will not be referring to:

 Does the top right hand mega shed look like it has a fire damaged roof?

 The Branston Mega Depot has got into a bit of a pickle since it opened:

• A massive fire earlier this year which was still being contained after 12 hours with 80 firefighters involved!
• Firefighters warned residents to stay in doors as the mega shed’s roof was made of an asbestos cement mix! The debris had to be removed by teams of specialists

<<<<<<< Branston burning with an asbestos based roof               

• Locals have been complaining about the noise, traffic increase and road safety risk since the depot opened and want the site relocated away from their residential area

Pyestock would be 150% larger than the Branston Mega Depot!

There have been several other mega depot fires in the last year. A report quotes: the large size of modern warehouses exceeded the safe travelling distance which put firefighters at increased risk of injury and death, such that senior officers may well make the decision to let commercial buildings burn rather than risk men’s lives, especially with the increased risk of flash fires created by modern warehouse design”

Hampshire Fire Services (HFRS) recently reported:

“Initial discussions have been held with architects on the development of Hartland Park, Fleet including plans for the largest operating warehouse in Europe, no firm proposals have yet been submitted by the developers but sprinklers will be vigorously promoted by HFRS.”

We think the developers are in a bit of a pickle as they have woken up thousands of concerned residents and workers with their misleading information. We value our quality of life and not the commercial gain of the ‘straight talking’ Pru!