December Update

Hi everyone

Welcome to our December monthly newsletter.  A particular welcome to those of you who signed up to receive our emails recently in response to the Community Plan questionnaire.  Responses to the questionnaire are still being collected so if you have a moment to click on the link and let us know what facilities you'd like in Abbotts Barton that would be much appreciated.

I'm Lynne, I live in Francis Gardens and am chair of the Community Group.  This is my first go at writing the monthly newsletters and I'll start by saying a big thank you to Sylke for her work in writing them up to this point.  You can keep up to date with her news about local and national issues on What I Read in Winchester.

This newsletter will focus more on Abbotts Barton and nearby areas, if you have any suggestions or ideas for what you would find useful to be included do get in touch.  I went to this month's local councillors' surgery to meet one of our councillors, Dominic Hiscock, and discovered that:

1. The new council houses planned for the top of Hillier Way go before the Council Planning Committee in early January. Building is likely to start in the spring. The consultation is now closed, there were some responses mainly expressing concern about parking and traffic, and a number from the residents of Simonds Court which is next to the planned houses.
    
2. There will be new yellow lines on Hyde Street particularly at the top of the road by the traffic lights with North Walls.  There will also be some adjustments to parking bays further down the road.
    
3. Residents in Abbotts Barton have been involved in setting up a Winchester wide SpeedWatch initiative. If you want to know more about this, email Dominic on dhiscock@winchester.gov.uk
    
4. The City Council have confirmed that the new leisure centre facilities will not involve extending the existing site onto the adjacent cricket pitch as had been previously suggested.  The remaining options are to rebuild the leisure centre where it is or build a new centre in Bar End.  The likelihood at the moment is that it will move to Bar End but there are still land issues there to be resolved.  There is currently a consultation with the residents of Highcliffe, the estate next to Bar End, about possible facilities.  If the leisure centre does move, the site in Hyde it will be replaced with alternative leisure, arts or cultural facilities; it will not be sold for housing.  The Council will be seeking residents' views for the use of the land if this situation occurs.  The tennis courts, football Astroturf and skatepark will remain.  Possible other facilities could include a café, changing facilities, toilets, a football/basketball area, a paddling pool and an updated playground.
    

You might have seen on the local noticeboards or our Facebook page that we are thinking of setting up a community orchard. If you would like to be involved or have any views on the project please email orchard@abbottsbarton.org.uk.  Jane, our treasurer, is also working with the Council to see how we could support older people in Abbotts Barton - we will keep you informed of our progress.

The community group committee will be meeting in the new year to think about community events for 2016.  If you have any ideas or would like to be involved in helping at any of those do email us at info@abbottsbarton.co.uk.  Last year's events included an Easter egg hunt, monthly picnics, the Big Lunch event in June and weekly fitness sessions in the park.

Here is some information on Bin collections over Christmas.

Thanks for reading and a very Happy Christmas to you all.  Do say hi if you see me about.

Lynne