West End residents take stand against Ageas Bowl development

West End residents gathered outside the cricket ground on Sunday to object to the plans that will see a 142-bed budget hotel, a wellbeing centre and a 71-bedroom care home built.

The group say West End, Hedge End, and Harefield are not equipped to deal with the volume of residents that would be brought by the project.

But Rod Bransgrove, The Ageas Bowl Chairman says the "ambitious" plans represent the "fulfilment of our original pledge to secure the long-term future of The Ageas Bowl".

Starting at 10pm, the protestors stood outside the ground holding up banners stating: “Infrastructure before housing” and “Save our community.”

Russell Prince-Wright said the development would have a negative impact on residents (Image: NQ)One West End resident, Russell Prince Wright, 65, said that he felt infrastructure was already stretched without the additional homes.

He said: “It's already difficult to get a doctor’s appointment or a place in school with the amount of people already in West End.

“Rush hour traffic is already bad enough – this development will see an extra 1000 cars a day added to the rush hour.

“It will also have a significant impact on the nature reserve of Telegraph Woods – vehicle lights and noise will penetrate the woods driving away the wildlife we are so fortunate to have.”

Linda Priestley said that the wildlife needs to be protected (Image: NQ)Linda Priestley, 69, has lived in the area for 36 years.

She said: “They want to cut down 69 huge oak trees in this development – these trees should be protected. We have badgers deer and all sorts of wildlife here.

Tracey Sebborn has lived in West End all her life (Image: NQ)Tracey Sebborn, 55, added: “I have lived in West End village all my life, its no longer a village – it has been decimated. I think there has been a massive oversight by the developers.

“People need green space for mental health – this needs to stop."

But launching the plans last year, Mr Bransgrove said they will be "further enhancing our amenities for the local community".

Peter Rea, 74, had lived in West End for 25 years. He said there were three main reasons the development should be stopped.

Peter Rea has lived in West End for 25 years (Image: NQ)“Healthcare, education and traffic. We don’t have the infrastructure to cope with this many more residents. it’s going to be gridlock at certain times.”

Hampshire county councillor for West End, Steven Broomfield, and parliamentary candidate for Eastleigh, Sam Joynson, also joined residents in opposition.