Hugh Sandeman
Conservative Councillor for Bell Hill ward, Petersfield

The recent complaints from the new residents of apartments around Petersfield's Market square are laughable. I have every sympathy with those people who can't sleep but find it hard to believe that they are so shocked & amazed that a buzzing pub-rich environment causes them sleepless nights.

The Kebab van has always been located at the edge of the square for as long as I can remember. The guys that run it are polite, professional and go out of their way to limit the impact that their operation makes on the surrounding environment.

Whilst on the Town Council, numerous planning applications for flat/apartment developments were put before the Planning Committee, many of them for Town Centre locations. The Planning system is increasingly out of the hands of Local Councils/Councillors and as a direct result rides roughshod over the important local knowledge that is used when looking at the merits of a new development.

The Town Council fought hard over the proposal to demolish Vertigo and to replace it with flats (with hardly any parking provision) built over a bar/club. We said that the noise would be intolerable for the new residents as well as those who currently live across the road. Naturally this made no difference and planning permission was awarded. The current case of complaints about noise by new Town-Centre residents isn't likely to be the last & it boils down to non-local planning decision making, and also people that move into an area without the foresight to research before doing so.

Long-live the Kebab van!

As a newly signed up member of the Friends of Petersfield Heath (FoPH) I thought I would do my bit to raise the profile of their informative website.

Covering their work and some history about Petersfield Heath the site is a good starting point for those who are keen to find out more about the important conservation project to restore natural heathland where the old golf course used to be.

The Friends of Petersfield Heath (FoPH) website can be found at this link: http://www.foph.net

The Conservative Party today strengthened control on EHDC, reflecting the Party's popularity in the Country and the meltdown experienced by the Lib Dems across the UK.

http://www.petersfieldtoday.co.uk/news?articleid=2851512

To all electors of Bell Hill and people of the Town, as my time as a Councillor draws to a close I thought I would write and say how much I have learnt from my experiences on the Town Council.

I am standing down as I now work in London and this means that I am less able to represent your views than I was when I was elected in March 2005.

The last couple of years have flown-by, the Council has had ups and downs, however I am convinced that the course has now been set for a much brighter future.

I hope that I have bought some fresh thinking to the Council whilst elected, this blog for instance was probably the first by a Councillor in Petersfield and it has allowed me to communicate with the electorate in a way other than telephone, email or letter, I hope it may have done something to make me more in touch with the people of the Ward.

I am hoping to use my spare time supporting such groups as the Kings Arms and the Friends of the Heath who do so much to enhance the Town that we all love, I will also be staying involved with the ongoing project to provide a first class concrete Skate Park for Petersfield.

Once again thank you for indulging me by visiting and reading my thoughts, Vote Blue, Go Green on May 3rd for a brighter future for Petersfield, the District and the Country.

This site will continue in a different format, following a brief redesign to reflect the fact that I am no longer a Councillor.

Thank you Hugh

Yesterday following a strategy meeting where CF Hampshire planned our next campaigning objectives for the coming weeks some of us went out to campaign with Ranil who is standing for a seat on the Borough Council. We spoke to numerous residents about their concerns and delivered leaflets talking about the positive ideas that Ranil wants to contribute if he is elected. The photo below shows us, almost in action!

Some of CF Hampshire encouraging residents to Vote Blue to Go Green in Basingstoke in support of Ranil's election campaign there.