Maya George

Bar + Block at Whiteley Shopping Centre is scheduled to close on September 3, 2026, as Whitbread shuts all of its UK and Northern Ireland Bar + Block, Table Table and Cookhouse + Pub sites. Whiteley and Shedfield councillor Sudhakar Achwal said the closure was unexpected and regrettable, describing the restaurant as popular. The shopping centre has attracted new businesses, including Søstrene Grene and Amparo Lounge, partly filling space left by other restaurant closures.

A man was escorted from a Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Panel meeting in Winchester after repeatedly interrupting proceedings, shouting at Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones and meeting chair Phillip Davies. The man alleged his evidence had been ignored and demanded to address the panel before being removed by a police officer, prompting the commissioner to leave the meeting with her team.

Police ordered travellers to leave an unauthorised encampment at a Fair Oak car park under Section 61 powers, leading to their departure on July 2. The local parish council said it has secured the site and will carry out cleanup operations, thanking residents for their patience during the disruption.

Residents in Chandler’s Ford have raised concerns that a proposed 32‑flat affordable housing development on Station Lane will worsen overcrowding, parking issues and traffic pressures. Eastleigh Borough Council is seeking public feedback until July 17 and will hold a drop‑in event to address questions. The plans include one‑ and two‑bedroom units, landscaping, improved walking and cycling links, and parking. A planning application is expected later this year, with potential approval in 2026 or 2027 and completion around 2028.

Detailed plans have been submitted for a new primary school and community sports hub at the centre of the 2,500‑home One Horton Heath development in Hampshire. The proposed three‑form‑entry school is designed as a civic focal point with flexible internal layouts, adaptable outdoor spaces and integrated facilities intended for wider community use. The project forms part of Eastleigh Borough Council’s major housing scheme, which carries significant projected interest costs but is expected to generate long‑term rental income. Public consultation runs until July 27, with a decision scheduled for September 24.