I strongly oppose the plans that Basingstoke council has decided to support a huge, mainly greenfield development close to Micheldever Station, across the A303 at Popham airfield.
As you are well aware no doubt, there has been no consultation with residents of Micheldever Station or nearby villages who for years have successfully fought for the area between Micheldever and Micheldever Station to be developed. Yet another example of greed and poorly thought out planning. Why have you not consulted local villages when dreaming up this proposal?
Do I need to point out that there are no transport links to serve a major development at Popham? There are no obvious walking or cycling routes to Micheldever Station. The vast majority of additional users of the station would use cars. The village already suffer significant speeding and parking problems with the small station car park at capacity. The station is not accessible for those with reduced mobility.
New settlements in the countryside such as Popham are the most carbon intensive option to provide new homes, requiring significant investment in new infrastructure, thus putting at risk the council's carbon neutrality goal. How do you answer this I wonder? The more sustainable option is to develop within existing settlements.
This poorly thought-out plan cannot be allowed to proceed and I very much hope that Basingstoke Council will re visit the options and confirm that this development will not go ahead - nor any other in the close vicinity.
Please confirm receipt of this communication.
Alison Vaissiere