8. AUTUMN NEWS 1999

Referring to the announcement that the New Forest was to be given National Park Status, Mr. Drummond advised that little more was known at this time. However it had been said that the New Forest Acts would continue and the Verderers would remain in office. The boundaries for the proposed park had to be established, under the 1949 National Parks Act, and this in itself could take at least 3 years. This task was being undertaken by the Countryside Agency and the President suggested that the Society’s Council might wish to invite a representative of the Agency to talk to members of Council.

On the question of the proposed development of Dibden Bay by ABP, Mr Gerald said that the current situation was unchanged. In conversation with their representative this week, they were still awaiting comments from the DETR. Their Project Manager would be coming to talk to Council in February when hopefully more information will be known about the format of the Harbour Revision Order application. Mr George Howe, a member, said he was becoming increasingly concerned at the broader effect the development would have if permission was granted. He was concerned too that the Trust Ports Review could mean ABP could run the risk of being taken over by private or event foreign organisations. In reply, Mr Gerald stated that restrictions contained in Harbour Orders would mean that any port authority would still be subject to UK law.

Turning to Portsmouth and Gosport, Mr Gerald said that the redevelopment of Portsmouth harbour was something of a lost cause in that, despite objections including those of the Society, the redevelopment was going ahead, although, as reported by Mr Brewer, no contract had yet been issued for the proposed Millennium Tower. As regards the source of the pollution on the beach at Southsea, this had still not been found despite continuing efforts.

On the subject of water matters, a big step forward had been made with the whole of the Isle of Wight’s waste water to be taken to Sandown, so that by the end of the year it will no longer discharge into the Solent. By the end of the year 2005 all discharges into the Solent will have tertiary treatment.

Mr Bleasby said that planning consent had been given for work to start on the protection of East Head at the end of January.

9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Mr John Worthy of the Langstone Harbour Board said that the Harbour Management Plan had now been published with comments called for before the end of February.

Mr. Drummond advised that the year 2001 would see the 150th anniversary of the Americas Cup. In the same year there would also be another Festival of the Sea on the August Bank Holiday weekend.