Spring 2012 - Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

Planning
our future
The blueprint that will guide development in
the borough over the next 15 years is reaching
a crucial stage.
This detailed document – called the Core
Strategy – is now in its ‘formal’ period of
public consultation, running from Friday
10 February to Friday 23 March. This
overarching planning document identifies
where development will take place, how
new jobs will be supported and how
the environment of the borough will be
protected and enhanced. Once formally
adopted, it will be one of the key factors in
whether planning applications are approved.
The Core Strategy allows for 594
new homes per year to be built up to
2027 to meet the area’s needs. New
home building is focused primarily on
Basingstoke, followed by appropriate levels
in the smaller settlements of Whitchurch,
Overton, Bramley, Kingsclere and Oakley.
Basingstoke is where the need for housing
is greatest and where development can be
supported by existing services and facilities.
How can
I have my say
The consultation version of the Core
Strategy, together with all of the detailed
assessments, maps, supporting
documents and an online response
form, is available on the council’s
website. Copies of all the documents
are available to view at the Civic Offices,
and at libraries in the borough, together
with printed response forms. As this is
a ‘formal’ legal stage in the process of
consultation on the Core Strategy, any
comments must focus on whether it is
legally compliant based on a robust and
credible evidence base, can be delivered
and is consistent with national policy.
See www.basingstoke.gov.uk/go/
corestrategy or call 01256 844844
Previously-developed land and regeneration
opportunities were considered first to
keep the use of greenfield sites as low as
possible. Proposed greenfield housing sites
were chosen through a site assessment
process. Sites were chosen to minimise the
need for people to travel to jobs, shops,
leisure and other services, and have least
impact on the environment. Locations were
chosen that will help to build communities,
and where the appropriate facilities such
as schools, shops, employment and leisure
facilities are either available or can be
provided.
Comments made during the consultation
will be considered by the council and
revisions, where necessary, made before
submitting the Core Strategy to the
Government to have it independently
inspected. There will be an examination of
the plan in public, likely to be in September
or October 2012. Finally, the inspector will
recommend any changes needed before
the council formally adopts the plan, likely
to be early in 2013.
Cabinet View
Cllr Rob Golding, Cabinet Member for
Planning, Transport and Infrastructure,
said:
Years of evidence gathering
and input from residents and
organisations have gone into drawing up
this crucial document. I am confident that
it represents a plan for the future of the
borough that will help us to meet needs
and plan for future prosperity. This is a
very formal stage of consultation and I
hope that residents will give us
their comments.
A summary leaflet is available giving more details
Where are new
homes being
proposed
Proposed greenfield housing sites are:
• Swing Swang Lane, Basingstoke for
100 homes
• North of Popley Fields, Basingstoke
for 450 homes
• Razors Farm, Basingstoke for
480 homes
• East of Basingstoke for 900 homes
• Redlands, east of Basingstoke for
150 homes
• Basingstoke Golf Course,
Basingstoke for 1,050 homes
• Overton Hill, Overton for 120 homes
• South of Bloswood Lane, Whitchurch
for 150 homes
Proposed ‘reserve’ greenfield housing
sites around Basingstoke, needed
only if the housing target cannot be
met using the proposed sites and any
suitable other brownfield (previously
developed) sites:
• Kennel Farm for 350 homes
• Cufaude Farm for 350 homes
For some villages and towns, a number
of new homes have been proposed:
Bramley (200 homes); Kingsclere (50
homes); Oakley (150 homes) and
Whitchurch (200 homes in addition to
those identified south of Bloswood Lane).
Basingstoke & Deane Today 15