'Help keep North Camp alive'

By Melanie Roberts for Get Hampshire

Developers behind the regeneration of North Camp have called on traders and residents to help prevent the area from slipping back into a “depressed” state.

And borough councillors agree there should be a working plan involving local people and community groups which will ensure the future of the newly rejuvenated neighbourhood.

A six-year project carried out by Surrey County Council in partnership with Rushmoor Borough Council and North Camp Matters Community Association has seen new play equipment, new homes including social housing, shops and businesses introduced into the Farn-borough community.

A traffic-calming scheme including a zebra crossing has made roads safer while a scheme encouraging traders to develop their shop fronts has improved the appearance of the village.

The working plan was suggested by North Camp regeneration officer Debbie Whitcombe and discussed at a meeting of the borough council’s environment policy and review panel.

“We have brought North Camp up to a certain standard now and we could very easily say that’s nice, job done, but we need to monitor the area to make sure it does not slip back into decline,” she told the panel.

“It is something we have got to work out. At this stage I am not sure what form the plan will take.

“It could be a small work programme, statement of actions or something as simple as an idea on an A4 sheet of paper.”

Mrs Whitcombe said residents” concerns expressed during the revamp consultation would form the basis of the plan.

“We know residents” issues through the consultation and how they thought we should resolve them,” she added. “We will put that in the plan and identify projects that would address the issues.

“Ideally, we would be looking at handing it over to businesses to take forward.

“We would certainly continue our relationship with North Camp Matters Com-munity Association and work with them on issues raised in the future.”

Cllr Martin Tennant, who represents Cove and Southwood, congratulated the borough and county council and North Camp Matters Community Association on a “fantastic job” with regenerating North Camp.

But he stressed the importance of borough coun-cillors getting involved with the plan to act on behalf of the local community.

“It does not take very much for a nice new area to look depressed very quickly,” he said. “North Camp station’s pedestrian footpath is prone to graffiti and littering.

“If you come to the station as a member of the public it’s not very nice and they are not going to appreciate it as they cross the footbridge and walk into North Camp.

“It took constant pressure from me on Surrey County Council to maintain that area and that pressure is something we need to carry on.

Cllr Tennant said he had also struggled to get the entrance to Salesian College in Reading Road made presentable before the Farnborough International Airshow in July.

“We must, as a council, appreciate that if I struggled to do it, residents perhaps are going to struggle,” he continued. 
“We need to take ownership of that.”

Cllr Charlie Fraser Fleming, who represents Farnborough’s  Mayfield ward, raised concerns that redevelopment projects planned in Farnborough and Aldershot could impact on small businesses in North Camp.

However, Mrs Whitcombe believes the plans posed more of an opportunity than a threat to village traders.

She said: “We need to be aware of any impact from the Aldershot Urban Extension but future developments in Aldershot and Farnborough should not be a threat.

“Any development will be bringing in new residential properties, which brings in potential customers.

“North Camp offers some-thing quite different but it’s important to let people know that they are there.

“If we already have a system which makes us aware of any changes or opportunities we will be in a position to act on that.”

Cllr Tennant said encouraging people to shop locally would be key in helping North Camp’s economy to thrive.

“If people don’t support local shops they will go,” he added. “They’ve got to be spending money, buying their groceries and meat there.

“The mission statement of the council as residents is to hope to see people shopping away supporting the local community. That will keep it alive.”