Agenda and draft minutes

The meeting was held virtually, and the Chairperson welcomed all representatives in attendance to the meeting.

Apologies for absence and deputy members were received and noted, as set out above.

To receive any disclosure of interests from Councillors or Officers in matters to be discussed.

Note: Councillors are reminded of their obligations to declare disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs), other registerable interests (ORIs) and non-registerable interests (NRIs) in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations made at this meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 24 November 2025, be approved and adopted.

To receive and note questions asked and statements made from members of the public on general matters of interest and/or matters relating to the work of the Forum. This period is for a maximum of 10 minutes.

NB members of the public are required to register with Democratic Services three clear working days before the meeting (see below for further details).

No members of the public were present to make representations.

The Forum referred to the update report that was circulated with the agenda pack for information and comment. The Chairperson welcomed Lea Hampton, Greg Cornish and Andrew Barron (Grainger) to the meeting who provided an overview of the report and subsequent updates that had taken place since the report had been generated. The following points were highlighted:

(i)              Marketing had progressed for land parcel M1, while parcel M3 was    delayed pending the outcome of the adjacent Blue Star Land          planning application.

(ii)             Confirmation was provided that the northern and southern allotments were complete, with final snagging works outstanding.

(iii)          A new play area off the western link road was opened in December.

(iv)          Planning approval for Town Park Phase B was received in         December and a tender pack was being finalised for works to     commence in 2026.

(v)            Discussions with the developer for the local centre and community building remained ongoing.

(vi)          Discussions were ongoing with the NHS regarding the health centre          land and meetings were due to be scheduled. In respect of the extra      care site, discussions were in place with Hampshire County Council        to move forward over the next six months.

(vii)                 Infrastructure works to access the cricket pavilion commenced on 16       February with an estimated completion for the pavilion by 2027.

(viii)                Updates were provided on the Blue Star Land planning application      regarding responses to highways comments.

(ix)          Confirmation was given that safe routes to school were completed and open to the public.

The Forum raised questions on the update received, which were responded to by Grainger representatives and relevant officers as summarised below:

(a)          A question was asked regarding the mud and condition of the        southern allotments car park. Further clarification was provided that      remedial works were proposed for the area.

(b)          Concern was raised that the allotments were not yet at the stage of         readiness suggested in the presentation.

(c)          A query was raised regarding whether plans for shops within the      village centre would be shared. It was noted that plans would be        shared once they were formalised with the developer.

(d)          Information was sought regarding meetings with the NHS concerning      the health centre land. It was reported that a meeting had recently      taken place involving the NHS and local representatives, initiated by Suella Braverman, MP to discuss obligations under the s106                   agreement. A further meeting would be arranged with Grainger, the NHS and the developer delivering the GP surgery on behalf of the               NHS in due course, with the intention of reporting back to the MP        with an action plan within the next 4-6 weeks.

(e)          The importance of communicating progress on the health centre to       the      district and parish council teams was emphasised so that               residents could be kept informed with up-to-date communication.

(f)         Comments were made regarding resident discontent with the rate of        progress on site infrastructure.

(g)        A question was asked regarding the management of reeds and                vegetation within the sustainable urban drainage system (SUDs) and       river areas. It was noted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Lea Hampton (Grainger) gave a presentation regarding community development and the social value toolkit used with supply chain partners to benefit the local community. The presentation focused on the following matters:

(i)         The toolkit targeted four focus areas: ecology and wildlife conservation,    education and training, resident communication, and skills and support.

(ii)        Activities included tree guard removal, bulb planting, and donations of       equipment to local schools.

(iii)     Involvement in National Careers Week reached over 600 students through workshops and presentations at schools and colleges.

(iv)     An analysis of funding showed that for every £1 of Grainger expenditure, £4 of social value was unlocked through leverage and    external contributions.

          RESOLVED:

                     That the presentation be received and the comments of the                Forum, as set out above, be noted.

The Chairperson welcomed Rick Smith (Winchester City Council) to the meeting who provided an update report on open spaces. The report set out the following points:

(i)              Work continued with Newlands Parish Council to bring open spaces        to an acceptable level for transfer, which was anticipated for        September.

(ii)             A snag list was received from the Parish Council and a works plan      was being developed for contractors to tender.

(iii)          Discussions continued with Grainger regarding the adoption of         Berewood open spaces.

(iv)          It was noted that a deed of variation would be required to add   Newlands Parish Council to the s106 agreement for direct land        transfer.

The Forum raised questions which were responded to by relevant officers as summarised below:

(a)      A reminder was provided that the ownership and management of the Town Park remained an unresolved issue between authorities and     needed to be progressed in a reasonable timescale.

(b)      The impact of potential local government reorganisation (LGR) on land         transfer timelines was noted.

(c)      Confirmation was given that Havant Borough Council representatives       continued to seek a resolution regarding land adoption within their   area.

          RESOLVED:

                     That the report be received and the comments of the Forum, as          set out above, be noted.

The Chairperson welcomed Emalene Hickman (Winchester City Council) to the meeting who gave a presentation which provided an update on the arts programme for the development, noting the key points as summarised below:

(i)         The first publication was distributed to every door within the development during October.

(ii)        Series two workshops were completed in partnership with Wellington         Vale Care Home.

(iii)     Publication volume two had received approval and was currently in print, featuring memories of Waterlooville.

(iv)     Series three workshops would focus on young people and this was  nearing completion.

(v)       The concept for the final output involved a series of unique aluminium        panels featuring poetry, to be situated in multiple locations across the        development and the town as a trail.

The Forum raised questions which were responded to by the officer on      the following points:

(a)      A suggestion was made to incorporate the "Love Waterlooville" logo          into future branding.

(b)      Clarification was sought regarding the evaluation process for the               signage and materials.

(c)      Concern was raised that the yellow colour of the proposed panels             could be confused with highway signage. It was noted that the iconic       shapes and location planning would mitigate this risk.

          RESOLVED:

                     That the presentation be received and the comments of the             Forum, as set out above, be noted.

Councillor Crichton provided an update to the report submitted by Newlands Parish Council and reference was made to the following additional points:

(i)         The issue regarding tree planting over sewage easements in           Wellington Park had been resolved, allowing for land transfer to Winchester City Council.

(ii)        Plans were in place to install two dog exercise areas.

(iii)     A meeting was sought with Havant Borough Council regarding the   proposed foot and cycle path from Brambles Farm to Houghton        Avenue.

(iv)     The absence of a s104 agreement between Southern Water and     Taylor Wimpey continued to prevent road adoption in Wellington Park.

(v)       The proposed closure of Sickle Way remained a point of contention,          with objections maintained by Hampshire Fire and Rescue on       safety grounds.

          RESOLVED:

                     That the update report be received and noted.

No other business of the forum was received at this meeting

·       18 June 2026

·       23 November 2026

·       2 March 2027

          RESOLVED:

                     That the virtual meeting dates of the forum for 2026/27, be noted   as set out on the agenda.