Councillor Steve Forster

A pleasant Sunday afternoon meeting members of the extended Police Family at the start of Volunteers Week 2026 at a Special afternoon Tea Party.

It was at Netley’s Police Southern Support & Training HQ, organised by Hampshire Police to thank local volunteers for their time, dedication and support.

It was really nice to meet the police serving officers and civilian staff and of course those that volunteer and support, including Police cadets, Speedwatch Groups and the many others that assist.

Great to see Fleet Aces Pickleball Club open their brand new courts at Cody Sports & Social Club last Friday evening - right next to Hartland Village, between Fleet & Farnborough.

The courts are floodlit, there’s free parking, and members get access to the clubroom and bar. A really impressive setup.

Fleet Aces already play indoors at Calthorpe Park School, but it’s wonderful to see them with a dedicated outdoor home to complement that. The club has a really friendly, welcoming atmosphere - exactly what community sport should be. https://fleetacespickleball.co.uk

I’m really pleased to have been able to support the project with one of my Hampshire County Councillor grants, alongside Sport England and Cody Sports & Social Club who helped make it all happen. Congratulations to the volunteers who set this new facility up, raised funds, and delivered and run this brilliant club.

Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the country right now - if you’ve never tried it, this might be the nudge you needed! 🏓

End of an era for Ali at Cantine - and the start of a new chapter.

Lovely evening tonight at her last weekend running the cafe.

Wow!
Having a late breakfast at the Spoons and this just came past. Very eco!

Lidl: 📋 The Planning Inspectorate inquiry into the proposed development at the Park & Ride site on Elvetham Heath Way starts THIS TUESDAY - and it matters.

Residents of Elvetham Heath have real concerns: more traffic and footfall on roads that are already already at capacity at peak school times. Also about the impact it would have on our high street. But there’s also no denying that many people across Fleet would welcome a Lidl in the right location.

This inquiry is where those competing pressures get properly tested. I’ve raised concerns as the plans were poor.

Here’s the schedule so you can see what’s being examined at the Hart council offices, and when…

I attended this weeks planning committee. I was surprised that some local councillors were in favour of losing farming countryside just south of Fleet and building a car park in a conservation area and possibly facilitating even more housing development across our area.

PS Development Management Committee - the current name for what used to be referred to as Hart’s Planning Committee.

At Wednesday night’s Hart Development Management Committee, councillors voted to approve the Cross Farm SANG* between Crookham Village and Crondall - despite objections from local residents to the creation of the SANG.

All the parish and residents concerns about flooding, footpaths, loss of countryside and farming land, noise and criminality were advised by officers as not being valid reasons to refuse. All the CCH and the Liberal Democrats then voted in favour of the development on countryside including building a large car park. That included a local CCH parish & Church Crookham councillor who did not support the parish and residents concerns; all 3 Conservative councillors voted against the proposal, including raising serious road safety and parking concerns.

While the SANG does help maintain a green gap, the loss of quality arable farmland is disappointing - and it was noted during the meeting that most visits to the site are expected to arrive by car. That makes the decision to place a car park in a conservation area all the more difficult to justify.

Most concerning of all, this approval risks opening the door to further housing development across a wide area.

* Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace. 🌳
It’s land provided by developers or councils to give people an attractive place to walk, exercise and enjoy nature - particularly dog walking - so that environmentally sensitive areas nearby are protected from excessive recreational pressure. Often used to offset additional house building.

Worrying that this was local - but good that Police acted.

Please do help and always report any suspicious activity or concerns about criminality direct to police.

A man has been arrested after officers carried out two warrants and located more than £3,000 and suspected Class A drugs.

Officers from the Fleet Neighbourhood Police Team executed warrants at addresses on Fleet Road, near Elvetham Heath Way in Fleet, and Brougham Place in Farnham on Thursday 28 May.

Following searches at both addresses, officers found more than £3,000 in cash, cannabis, suspected Class A drugs and a large suitcase containing imported ci******es. All items have been seized.

A 48-year-old man from Farnham, Surrey, has been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug of Class B, possessing a controlled drug of Class A and conspiring to fraudulently evade any duty / prohibition / restriction / provision.

He has been bailed to allow for further enquiries to be carried out.

Water safety 🛟

Please be vigilant and ensure you - and others - are aware of the dangers of swimming in open water where there are no lifeguards or where swimming is not designated or supervised.

Earlier this week, following recent national reports and concerns locally, I raised the issue with Hart officers after residents had been seen swimming in unsafe locations.

Open water Country Park locations in Hart, including Fleet Pond and Bourley Lake, are not supervised for swimming and can present significant risks. I’m told by Hart officers there are no authorised open water swimming council locations in Hart.

I’m pleased Hart officers have responded to concerns promptly with water safety information on their channels. The Executive Director for Community tells me a social media post from Hart has gone out today as below, plus one earlier in the week and posters are apparently going up at Fleet Pond today.

The nearest supervised open-water swimming locations are:
🏊‍♀️ Mytchett Lake – https://www.quayswim.co.uk
🏊‍♂️ Aldershot Lido – https://www.everyoneactive.com/centre/aldershot-lido/

My thoughts are with all those affected by the recent tragic incidents across the country. I hope the information being shared helps prevent further accidents and keeps people safe this summer

🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀 I’ve raised a number of concerns about rat sightings 😳and vermin issues in public spaces that were reported to me by residents in Fleet Town over recent weeks - particularly at and near the council offices, but also along the Canal, at Fleet Pond and also in a few residential areas.

Hart Environmental Health 👮‍♂️have advised that residents should report concerns directly to Hart District Council, as Facebook comments and posts are not seen or treated as official reports.

If they receive multiple reports about the same public issue or location, they are likely to investigate and take action if necessary, or instruct the landowner to do so if it's a private area.

So if you spot rats or other pests in a public area, please do take a few moments to report it directly here:
https://www.hart.gov.uk/environment/environmental-health/noise-light-dust-and-other-nuisance/report-other-types-nuisance/report_an_environmental_health

Thank you if you have reported - community reporting really does help build the evidence needed for action.

👉👉There are also some simple things we can all do to help reduce pest problems locally.

Please avoid leaving food waste out other than in secured bins, and please don’t leave bread or other food in parks or public spaces for birds🦆 or wildlife🐾, as this can also attract rats and other pests.

If bins 🗑️ in parks or public areas are already full, please take rubbish home where possible rather than leaving bags or food waste beside bins. Overfilled public bins 🚯can also be reported to Hart District Council.