The following has been taken from the Hart District Council Web Site relating to a recent audit undertaken following the curtailment of the Shapley Heath project in November 2021.

"Shapley Heath Audit Review

On 26 July 2022, Hart District Council’s (HDC) Audit Committee met to consider the internal report commissioned to review the procedures and governance of the Shapley Heath Project, which explored one of the potential options to meet future housing demand in the district.

This project had been undertaken with the encouragement of the then Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG), who promised Hart substantial funding to look at a possible Garden Village in central Hart.

The Shapley Heath project was curtailed in November 2021, when government funding failed to meet the levels that MHCLG had advised HDC to expect. It has however delivered ten informed and evidenced baseline reports which can underpin any future Local Plan Review and help advise the council of the viable options for meeting future housing need. This evidence base has a real value and will benefit the people of Hart should the government allocate the area a substantially increased housing target.

The Audit report did identify a number of deficiencies in the way the project had been managed. These did not have a material influence on the outcome of contract tendering, nor in the quality of the material produced. However, the failure to meticulously follow Hart’s own internal processes is recognised. Hart District Council sincerely apologise for these deficiencies and promise to take the audit report findings on board. A review of the report’s findings and recommendations shall be undertaken and will involve a number of the council’s committees.

Cllr. David Neighbour, Leader of the Council, said “Hart District Council will learn from the mistakes made regarding the governance and procurement of this project. I welcome the work done by the Audit Committee and apologise to the people of Hart for these failings. We will provide appropriate training to ensure that this doesn't happen again.”

Deputy Council Leader, Cllr. James Radley, added “The residents of Hart deserve and should expect full transparency in the operation of the council. That this did not happen on this particular project is a grave concern. I can only apologise on behalf of all those involved and to state my determination that lessons shall be learnt. “

Meanwhile the project's ten baseline reports are saved ready for the Local Plan Review, where they will join output from other housing option studies."

This summary and the full audit report is available here

and the We Heart Hart website provides further information and evaluation at Shapley Heath Audit

John Sage

31 July 2022

Photo Competition – We are hoping to receive more photos with the theme of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in and around our village. If you haven't done this yet please submit your photos by 31 August 2022. The competition is open to both members and non-members of the Society. Please send your photos to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The winner will be announced at the Society’s Autumn meeting.

Front Garden Awards - Judging for this annual award has taken place and we look forward to being advised of the results in due course. There will be prizes for small, larger and ‘wild’ front gardens which will be announced at the Society’s Autumn meeting.

Autumn Meeting – Wednesday, 12 October – Victoria Hall at 7.30 pm. Our guest speaker will be announced in the September issue of Contact.

The Heritage Society 2022 Journal - If you would like to obtain a professionally printed copy of the Journal it is still avaiilable and can be obtained via our website.

If you care about the village you live in and would like to know more about its rich history and heritage please join the Society to show your support. For more information look in the Contact Us Tab above.

John Sage

31 July 2022

Hartley Wintney Festival - Thank you to those members who helped out at the Society’s stall at the village festival in June and to the many members of the public that visited us. We hope you took the opportunity to talk to the committee and look at the information on display.

Photo Competition – If you haven’t yet submitted your photos for this year’s competition please do so before the end of August. The theme is Hartley Wintney enjoying the Platinum Jubilee and the competition is open to both members and non-members of the Society. Please send your photos to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we look forward to seeing a high number of photos entered with the winner also announced at the Society’s Autumn meeting

Front Garden Awards - Judging for this is now taking place and should be completed during July. There will be prizes for small, larger and ‘wild’ front gardens which will be announced at the Society’s Autumn meeting.

Subscriptions for 2022-2023 – Thank you to all members who have already renewed your subscription for 2022-2023. 
Heritage Society 2022 Journal - If you would like to obtain a professionally printed copy of the Journal it is still avaiilable and can be obtained via our website.

Autumn Meeting – Wednesday, 12 October – Victoria Hall. Speaker to be announced in due course.

If you care about the village you live in and would like to know more about its rich history and heritage please join the Society to show your support. For more information, please visit www.thwhs.org.uk under the Welcome section.

John Sage

03 July 2022

Member meeting – A very successful AGM and Spring meeting was held on May 18^th with 100 people attending. We were entertained to a very interesting and informative presentation by Nick Maslin, a local historian from Hook, on The Coaching Road Through Hartley Wintney.

Front Garden Award - Judging for this will take place between July and August 2022 when judges will be walking around the whole of Hartley Wintney village and as last year, there will be a prize for the most enchanting front gardens.

Photographic Competition – If you haven't already done this why not submit an entry to this year's competition which is open to both members and non members. The theme is Hartley Wintney enjoying the Platinum Jubilee so I'm sure there will be lots of opportunity over the coming weeks to find suitable photos to take. Please send your photos by the end of August to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Village Festival - June 11^th. The Society will be present again at the festival this year and we look forward to meeting visitors to our stand between 12-5pm which is in our usual prominent position looking towards the main stage.

The Heritage Society 2022 Journal is now available as a professionally printed format for £2.50 each. Copies can be obtained via our website.

Subscriptions for 2022-2023 – Thank you to all members who have already renewed your subscription for 2022-2023.

If you care about the village you live in and would like to know more about its rich history and heritage please join the Society to show your support. Membership costs only £6 per year per family and for more information please visit www.thwhs.org.uk under the Welcome section.

John Sage

20 May 2022