About Us

Welcome to Highfield, a charming, leafy suburb of Southampton. Highfield is set in the middle of the University belt, steeped in academia, and flanked by Southampton Common on one side, and Portswood on the other.

The Highfield Residents’ Association is an active group of local residents and their families who seek to protect and preserve their environment and support their neighbours. We always welcome new members. You can join by clicking on the “Join us” leaf above and paying the annual subscription of £5.00.

If you wish to contact the HRA Secretary, you can email her on: jill.baston6@gmail.com. Alternatively, just click on the ‘Contact Us’ leaf above.

For HRA Newsletters, Committee Members, Agendas, Minutes, Blogs, the Constitution and other Local & National Residents Associations, see below.

Acting Chair’s Report of the HRA Committee Meeting of Monday 10th July 2017

• The Chair reported he had regretfully just received the resignation from the Committee of John Bradshaw and also just been informed of a change of ownership of the Highfield House Hotel to Ashley Hotels. He also stated the need to conclude the General meeting asap as there was a major item to discuss under Reserved business.
• There were no Matter Arising from the previous Minutes
• University Liaison – Jon Walsh gave an update on current matters, confirming the “Steps” had now gone to Appeal. He reported on an outstandingly successful University Open Day last Saturday.  Reference was made to Planning Conditions that had yet to be agreed between all parties re the border of Salisbury Road and The Common.  It was agreed he should contact Graham Linecar of SCAPPS again although he stated the application had reverted to it’s original Conditions.  A Member, Elena Vorobeva of Granby Grove, asked if anything could be done about late night noise caused by young people, presumed to be Students, returning home late at night.
• Common Forum – in the absence of Simon Hill the Chair gave an overview of last week’s meeting of the recently formed Forum, reporting on a successful event and in particular the response by some thousand or so people to the Survey carried out to determine people’s use and ideas for the Common going forward.
• Reports – Membership stands at a total of 508 households.  Planning it was agreed to refer a garage being built under PDRs in Grosvenor Rd to the Council as it appeared at two stories to be in excess of that permitted.  Jerry reported of cases in East Bassett where, similar to Westridge Rd, applications for LDCs are being made following being granted an HMO license without PP!  Website it was agreed that copies of planning objection letters to the City Council would be passed to Nadine for her to post on the Planning page of the website. Nadine also reported on the website and asked the Chair to follow up on the two most recent agreed advertisers.
• AOB – Jerry reported on a most successful social event held at Woodstock House to recognise Roger Brown’s retirement as Chairman for the last eight years.
• Date of next meeting – Monday 14th August 2017.

Jerry  Gillen, Vice-Chair

Acting Chair’s Report of the HRA Committee Meeting of Monday 12th June 2017

• Councillors Claisse & O’Neil were welcomed to the meeting. The Chairman also welcomed back our Treasurer and the committee expressed their good wishes for the continuing progress of his and Megan’s baby daughter.
• Matters arising from last meeting – it was noted that the bench outside #Coffee had still not been removed and that Vans were once again being left on Double yellow lines and causing obstruction outside the S/H Washing machine shop. Cllr Claisse undertook to follow up with Balfour Beaty and the Council Parking Dept.
• University liaison – Jon Walsh gave a report on current activities including the Uni’s recent fund raising exercise. He also stated the Uni intended to Appeal the Planning refusal against renewing the Steps and also expressed strong opposition for any suggested alternative cycle route using the Uni service road and that they supported the Lovers Walk proposal.
• Common Forum – Prof Roger Brown, Chairman of the recently formed new Forum gave an update on the latest position and urged everyone interested to attend the next general meeting on Tue July 4^th, PM at Tauntons School. He gave details of a wide public consultation recently held and the proposal to prepare an Options Appraisal for the treatment of The Common, to include the Hawthorns visitor centre.  There is also now an active website for the Forum
• Little Common – in the absence of Simon Hill, John Bradshaw reported that a letter was being prepared to send to the Council regarding it’s future treatment and ongoing difficulties with present management.
• Lovers Walk – Prof Brown confirmed the Forum were opposed to current proposals and would be objecting, as were HRA. It was pointed out that HRA had already obtained Legal Opinion from Kings Chambers, which the Council appeared to be ignoring.
• Reports – Planning; permission has been granted for an Oral Hearing as part of the Judicial Review process for 12 Russell Placr.  A member raised concerns about the Council’s handling of a change of use application for a site in Hilldown Rd;  the Chair undertook to seek an informal legal opinion if the member provided a summary of the issues, mainly concerning Permitted Development Rights and change of Use.  Another member raised concerns about proposals for the Blockbuster site but on balance it was felt the proposals were an improvement on what was already there and HRA were not objecting.
• X Chair’s Event – an update on numbers and organisation was provided by Bryan Wakely who is coordinating. Would those attending email him with their “American Supper” style contribution.
• AOB – the Chair reported that The Cowherds were prepared for Park Runners to use the Parking and Toilet facilities of the Pub on Saturday morning provided they sought the permission of the Landlady first. It was also reported there was a spate of car break ins in WinnRd.
• Date of next meeting – Monday 10^th July.

Jerry Gillen, Vice Chair