Two areas of communal green space in Lychpit could be protected from development by the council.

The village green off Broadhurst Grove and ancient hedgerows on Saxon Way were sold off by developers after the council failed to enact a section 52 legal agreement to transfer it into its possession.

But now, the authority says it is considering designating both spaces as "local green space" in the local plan update which will protect it from the threat of development.

However, it must be assessed in line with national policy, the results of which will not be made public until 2022, and the new local plan will not come into force until 2024 at the earliest.

The local plan is a document which guides the determination of planning applications, with extensive work to update it set to begin in the coming months.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s cabinet member for communities, planning and infrastructure, Cllr Simon Bound, said: “I am pleased to report that both Broadhurst Grove and Saxon Way have been put forward for consideration as Local Green Spaces as part of the Local Plan Update.

"I hope that this will bring some reassurance to the residents who have enjoyed using the space for a number of years.

“The Cabinet Member for the Natural Environment and Climate Improvement Cllr Mark Ruffell and I remain hopeful that both locations will satisfy the necessary criteria.”

The two spaces, now privately owned by two different parties, were put forward for protection through the council’s Issues and Options consultation, held in autumn 2020, by Old Basing and Lychpit Parish Council.

If designated, they would be afforded a high level of protection in the planning system, consistent with green belts.

The council has begun assessing all of the land promoted for local green space designation against national policy and principles.

The result of these assessments will be published as part of the draft Local Plan Update consultation, which is due to take place in early 2022.

This consultation will provide an opportunity for all relevant landowners to make representations about proposed designations. The local plan update is due for adoption in 2024.