Stephen Morgan MP has continued his action to support local people who are campaigning to have a public right of way designated on the Old Portsmouth Camber, by providing evidence to the Planning Inspectorate
In a statement to the recent Planning Inspectorate hearing at the Guildhall on the future of the Camber route, Mr Morgan said the city council should be looking at how the city can improve, not restrict, access at the historic location in this special part of our city.
Campaigners first launched efforts to have a public right of way recognised in 2014 after construction of the Ben Ainslie Racing (BAR) headquarters started.
Mr Morgan has been working with residents and Old Portsmouth campaigners to achieve long-awaited progress on this issue and has raised concerns in Parliament, following dither and delay from the city council.
The city council twice refused applications before recent decisions were appealed and overturned in 2018. Progress has stalled on naming the Camber a right of way since then.
At the recent hearing, the Planning Inspectorate heard from a number of local people supporting the right of way, with evidence at the hearing provided by the Portsmouth South representative.
Commenting following the hearing, Stephen Morgan MP, said:
“The council should be looking at how we can improve, not restrict, access for the public at this historic and special part of our city
“Local residents have been campaigning on this for around a decade and quite frankly have been messed around by the city council which has dragged its feet on any progress.
“It is clear to me from correspondence with constituents, that local residents support action to protect public access now and in the future and that’s why I wanted to make sure our evidence was heard by the Planning Inspectorate”.
The city MP has met local residents and representatives from Friends of Old Portsmouth (FOOPA) to visit The Camber and see their concerns first-hand, as well as submitted parliamentary questions and arranged a meeting to discuss the issue between the city council and Friends of Old Portsmouth.
