A Flood Alert has been issued by the Environment Agency.

Flood Alert in force: Groundwater flooding in Bramdean and Cheriton.

Flooding is possible for: Areas at risk of groundwater flooding in Bramdean and Cheriton in Hampshire.   

Be prepared.

In Bramdean and Cheriton, groundwater levels are high and rising. In the last 3 months, prolonged, higher than average rainfall (280mm) has been recorded at Bishops Sutton. At our borehole in West Meon, the level has risen by 75cm in the last week. From Saturday (08/03/2025), cellar flooding will begin to affect a small number of properties in Cheriton. In Bramdean, cellar flooding impacts are not expected for at least another few weeks, and only if further heavy rain is recorded. From today 06/03/2025 until Monday 10/03/2025, only small amounts of rain are forecast. We expect that groundwater levels in Bramdean and Cheriton will peak within the next week. We continue to monitor the forecast. If you use pumps to help reduce water levels, please ensure that they can operate. This Flood Alert will be updated by 18:00 on Thursday 13/03/2025.

To check the latest information for your area
-------------------------------------------------------

* Visit the GOV.UK website to see the current flood warnings, view river and sea levels or check the 5-day flood risk forecast: https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcheck-for-flooding.service.gov.uk%2Ftarget-area%2F065FAG010&data=05%7C02%7C%7C5e74d8a13abb4db4084008dd5c9e011d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638768555877875412%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=FSreq3DvPBYJLcLa1mdHQVdkqZE2iVwZ25IeOgdqy%2BA%3D&reserved=0

* Or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 using quickdial code: 216009 .

* Follow @EnvAgency and #floodaware on Twitter.

* Tune into weather, news and travel bulletins on local television and radio.


What you should consider doing now
---------------------------------------------

* Monitor local water levels and weather conditions. 

* Get ready to act on your flood plan if you have one.

* Move your car or other vehicles to higher ground, if it is safe to do so.

* Prepare a flood kit of essential items including a torch with spare batteries, mobile phone and charger, warm clothes, insurance documents, water, food, first aid kit and any prescription medicines or baby care items you may need.

* Businesses should inform staff and customers about the situation.

* Check that you know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water mains supplies.

* In rural locations, farmers should consider moving livestock and equipment away from areas likely to flood.

* Avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water. 30 cm of fast-flowing water can move a car and 6 inches can knock an adult off their feet.

* Flood water is dangerous and may be polluted. Wash your hands thoroughly if you've been in contact with it.

 

Establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority across Hampshire, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight and Southampton Consultation Paper.

Topic of this consultation:

This consultation seeks views on a proposal to form a Mayoral Combined County Authority for the local government areas in Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council, Isle of Wight Council, and Southampton City Council (referred to as Hampshire and the Solent in this consultation).

In December 2024, the government published the English Devolution White Paper. This sets out plans to move power out of Westminster and back to local communities, ensuring that every part of England is covered by devolution. The local council leaders from Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council, Isle of Wight Council, and Southampton City Council have since written to government expressing their interest in taking forward devolution within their area through the establishment of a Mayoral Combined County Authority, with the first election for a Mayor taking place in May 2026. Before taking a decision on whether to proceed with the making of the necessary legislation, the government is seeking views from interested parties, including those who live and work in the area.

Link to consultation  https://consult.communities.gov.uk/lggc/hampshire-and-the-solent-devolution-consultation/consultation/subpage.2025-02-11.9767972217/

CURATE’S BRIDGE

Cheriton Parish Council is considering the future of the Curate's Bridge (the footbridge in the centre of the village green on the footpath that runs from behind the village shop to the church).

CPC welcomes input from residents and other stakeholders to help it make decisions about the bridge, a design for replacement, timing of such a replacement and the expected lifespan of a replacement. The current bridge has been in place for, at least, seventy years and while not of a similar design to the road bridges in the village it fulfils its purpose to allow pedestrians a safe route across the village green.

The Curate's Bridge has been inspected in recent years for HCC engineers and is viewed as being of limited lifespan and while the bridge does not seem to have deteriorated materially over the last few years it is not in a good state of repair and its future lifespan is indeterminate.

CPC as ascertained that the village green footpath and the Curate's Bridge are well used and liked by many stakeholders. There is a concern that the bridge opening for the river is too narrow and combined with high water, cut and free weed and watercress and other debris increase the risk of surface water flooding in the centre of the village.

The Curate's Bridge is within the Cheriton Conservation Area and any changes will require consideration by several agencies (including the Environment Agency) through the planning process.

CPC wish to make proposals regarding the future of the bridge by the middle of 2025, with any works following when the full planning and design process is complete. Such things as the type of bridge, the aesthetics of the new design, life expectancy, funding, etc., will be taken in to account. Helpful thoughts and comments in all of these areas are invited and are welcome.

Please contact [email protected] with your thoughts and comments.

Cheriton Parish Council

Boomtown Community Support Fund

The Boomtown organisers have set up this fund which is specifically for the parishes bordering the festival site and is for charities, good causes, community groups or other charitable fund-raising projects that will bring benefit to these communities. 

The amount allocated to Cheriton Parish is £4,500 (2 years) and we now asking local groups if they would like to apply for a portion of this funding for a particular project.

The criteria for the fund is that a project must bring significant benefit to the parish and can include:

• Voluntary, community groups, parish council
• Schools and educational establishments
• Local charities

Funds will not be available for:

• Commercial organisations
• Private membership-based sports club & facilities unless membership is open to the general public without undue restriction
• Funding general costs for organisations ie running costs, administration costs, building rental costs etc
• Retrospective funding
• Gaining or obtaining a loan or financing a loan

Terms and conditions:

• Applicants may be invited to attend a local residents’ meeting to give a report on their project and/or provide written feedback once the funds have been spent 

• There are limited monies available in this fund, therefore not all eligible applications may be funded. The decision of the Parish Council is final.

Application Process:

Submit grant applications to the Parish Clerk at [email protected]

by 28th February 2025 using the Cheriton Parish Council Grant form located on the CPC website http://www.cheritonparishcouncil.org.uk/community/cheriton-parish-council-15038/grants-from-cheriton-parish-council/

The Parish Council will agree on funding at their meeting on 11th March 2025, which applicants are welcome to attend.

For any questions regarding the fund, please contact Clare Cholerton, Cheriton Parish Clerk. [email protected]

 

Replacement Benches for Cheriton Village

Cheriton Parish Council are looking to replace two wooden benches in our village. The benches to be replaced are, on Cheriton Village Green and in front of Cheriton School.

This is a fantastic opportunity for individuals or organizations to contribute to our community by sponsoring these benches. Each bench could feature a plaque that can be personalized with a dedication of your choice, a great way to honour a loved one, celebrate a special occasion, or simply show your support for our village.

If you are interested in sponsoring a bench, please contact Clare Cholerton, Parish Clerk, [email protected]  for more details on how you can get involved.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a lasting impact on our community.

Cheriton Parish Council

 

 

Useful links

M3, Junction 9 (Winnall Roundabout) Roadworks update https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/south-east/m3-junction-9-improvements/

South Downs News https://mailchi.mp/southdowns.gov.uk/south-downs-news-february-2025