YOU reported under the heading that a 20-strong crowd who turned out to listen to the presentation was almost unanimous in their excitement and enthusiasm.
I can't believe it! Like the Curate's Egg "it is good in parts". I shall be pleased to examine the details when the plan is published for consultation but based on your report I have reservations.
1. The watersports academy is a good idea in princ
iple, but from the drawings the complex is too big.
2. The stepped plaza at the Ferry sounds good but what sort of "street routing" is called for to "improve access?" Also where is there space for new self-catering apartments without losing public space?
3. Do we need two mini-hubs between Funland and Eastoke? A café - yes; a playground – yes. But why replace a recently-built skateboard park? Another example of our throw-away society?
The drawing reproduced on page six seems to show a mini-hub at Eastoke Corner right on top of the plaza which is really only just finished, and the road works not yet started.
4. A "camp site and touring park" to obstruct the views of householders on the Sea Front Road and to steal more valuable public open space.
5. We used to have very good picnic facilities near the Coastguard Station, on what was before that a putting green, until the railway was allowed to cut across it corner to corner.
6. Finally, the monstrosity of the proposed multi-storey building at Central Beachlands swallowing the whole of Funland and the Beachlands Café.
From the drawing it is difficult to judge how high it would be, but it appears to be high as Anne Court and two or three times as long. More obstruction of views!
I thought Hayling Island Residents Association was against any more flats on the Island?
As I have said these are my reservations based on your report but these are the questions which I think all residents should consider, and tell the borough council what they think.
Theodore Tott
Hollow Lane
Hayling
Editor's note: The self-catering apartments will be built on part of the Ferry Boat Inn's car park.
The reaction we reported was of those businesses and organisations that attended the presentation. Havant Borough Council has told us it intends to begin a public consultation in July.
The Seafront Masterplan represents the biggest changes to Hayling since the days of William Padwick and his plan for a high society seaside resort.
Are you in favour of the plans to open up access along the southern side of the Island by building a boardwalk? Should Hayling become the venue for a national watersports academy and should it have a futuristic design?
Will the Ferry Point proposals make a better gateway to visitors from Portsmouth and if self-catering flats are needed to pay for them, should they be approved?
With developers already eyeing Central Beachlands for housing development, are the new plans the way forward including a light tower?
Write with your views to the address above, marking your letters, Seafront Masterplan. You can also comment online at www.haylingislandtoday.co.uk
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