Consultation Forms Local Plan Update Reg 18

SPS5 – Sites Allocated for Housing Led Development

This policy underlines the imbalance of the spatial distribution of the sites allocated for housing. 

In total, 89% of the housing is in sites to the west of Basingstoke (largely the South West), even excluding Overton

That is 16250 in a total of 18289

In the plan period, 82% of the housing is in sites to the west of Basingtoke (largely the South West) excluding Overton

That is 9550 in a total of 11589

Even acknowledging that Manydown land must be developed, these figures represent a stark imbalance, with far too much weight of development allocated to the South West of Basingstoke – that is the rural side of our town.  Every single site is greenfield.

By contrast, only 33 houses are allocated in the brownfield town centre area and 1416 on sites on the eastern side of Basingstoke (7% of the eventual total, 12% of houses in the plan period)

This cannot stand up to scrutiny

SPS5.4 Southern Manydown

This Policy represents a very large concentration of homes to the immediate south west of town.  It is appreciated that Manydown South must be developed.  However the complete submission includes extra land [land owner information redacted]..  The [reference to the land owner of the 'extra land'] to land does not have to be totally developed. 

Excluding a considerable part of the [reference to the 'extra land' owned by the landowner] land would allow a greater sense of space and countryside for future and existing residents.  I would like to see a part of the land to the south of Manydown South – excluding that allocated for a new hospital – taken out of the plan and reallocated elsewhere, reducing the extraordinarily large percentage of new homes targeted to this area.

The aim expressed in section f) is welcome.  The proposals thus far represent a more effective gap between the new development and Oakley than between the new development and North Waltham.  The latter is unlikely to achieve the “visual sense of separation” cited in the policy.  North Waltham, which has been a unique, stylish and close-knit village community for centuries, is in danger of being virtually swallowed up by the huge Southern Manydown site.  The gap will do little to mitigate against coalescence.  It is completely inadequate and will leave North Waltham residents staring in the face of this vast complex of buildings.

Most of Southwood Farm should be excluded from the Southern Manydown site in order to relieve the hugely disproportionate level of development in South West Basingstoke.

SPS10 Oakdown Farm

Oakdown Farm is one of the most strategic sites in our Borough.  At the entrance to the rural end of town and surrounded by beautiful vistas of countryside, its allocation should be carefully reconsidered and not used to top-up an estimated figure for industrial use.

Successive planning applications, including one dismissed on appeal, have proved the strength of local opinion regarding this site.  From residents to MPs, warehouse development at this site has been vigorously fought against.  It therefore seems perverse to state, at the top of the policy, that it is to make provision for the delivery of warehousing and/or industrial floorspace.  I continue to find this unbelievable – a betrayal.

This would be a criminal waste of a prime site.  Instead it should be allocated for business/residential (if any!) use, and specifically excluded from warehousing which will decimate the landscape, overload Junction 7 (already quite dangerous), seriously undermine the sense of community in the surrounding estates and provide an ugly and incongruous entrance to our town.

I question the “need” for this site to be used for warehousing.  That need certainly does not refer the people of this Borough, and that is my number one constraint.

I would suggest that the Policy is adjusted to read:

“a) Make provision for the delivery of business/light industrial and/or residential accommodation.”