BASINGSTOKE and Deane Borough Council are planning for a mass transit system along the A30 corridor, as they draw up a plan to control multiple major developments near Junction 7 of the M3.

Residents and parish councillors have raised concerns regarding the scale of development planned for the area, which was brought to the fore lately by planning applications being approved at Basingstoke Golf Course and Manydown.

Additionally, work is due to start at Hounsome Fields, whilst plans for a distribution centre at Oakdown Farm have been revealed, and speculation over the possibility of a new hospital also continues.

In response to this, the borough council have decided to draw up a "proactive strategic vision", which will ensure that infrastructure is delivered to support residents' quality of life, opportunities for new jobs and better facilities.

Cabinet member for planning, infrastructure and natural environment, Cllr Mark Ruffell, said: “There are lots of possible future development proposals for this area that could come forward. For example, we know that there was a previous application for a hospital near junction 7 owing to its great strategic location. Public engagement is being carried out on future health services for north and mid Hampshire and we would like to see a new hospital in Basingstoke.

“It is crucial that we have a clear and joined up vision for the provision of infrastructure around the M3 junction 7 area as early as possible. We want to listen to the competing interests of residents and landowners to ensure that any further development of this area is well thought out. This will be a significant piece of work, and I look forward to discussing this in more detail with councillors at committee later this year.”

The vision will look at needs such as health, education, water and sewerage, sticking points for some residents and councillors in some of the planning applications debated recently, which the council say "will help to highlight needs and future funding opportunities and help other local services to plan ahead in a coordinated way".

And alongside this, which will inform the ongoing Local Plan review, due to be adopted in 2023, the council are working with highways authority to look at the future capacity for the busy motorway junction at Dummer, and plan for a mass transit system along the A30 corridor.