Concern at shortage of car charging points

QUESTIONS have been raised about the number of electric car charging points in several new developments.

At a Fareham Borough Council planning committee meeting a planning application for 16 homes in Hunts Pond Road, Fareham, was approved.

So was the conversion of a former scout hut in Montefiore Drive, in Sarisbury Green, into four two-bed flats and five one-bed flats.

But concerns were raised about the lack of car charging points following the government’s hopes to switch to zero emissions by 2030.

The development of Hunts Pond Road is under the management of Imperial Homes Southern Ltd and will be offered as affordable homes when complete.

Director Joe Darrington said: ‘We’re not planning to put charge points in because planning requirements aren’t stipulated there.

‘The infrastructure is there for a conversion later but while it’s not required, we won’t install them.’

In 2019 the government proposed forcing all newbuild homes and developments to include charging points but this has not been implemented.

At the meeting, chairman of the planning committee and member of the Conservative administration, Nick Walker, said: ‘If our government is leading the charge on electric cars, should we be leading the way on installing electric charging points?’

Councillor Walker told The News: ‘It’s in the draft local plan but we can’t insist that new homes install them.

‘If it’s going to become mandated, perhaps we should insist they are put in and what about terraced houses with no parking. This needs more thought.’

Cllr Walker said he will hold discussions with the developers. He said the council has no authority and the responsibility of installing car charge points currently falls on homeowners.

It comes as Hampshire County Council is asking for people to take part in a survey where people can point out where they want charging points. Search for electric vehicle charging points on hants.gov.uk