A PETITION to save a green space in Basingstoke from development is gathering momentum as more than 2,000 people add their signatures.

As previously reported, Basingstoke MP Maria Miller launched a campaign calling on the borough council to protect Old Down and designate it as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR).

The MP, with support from a group of residents, is fighting to protect the 16 hectares of open chalk grassland which runs between Beggarwood and Kempshott to save it from being built on.

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The petition will be presented at the full council meeting on March 24, but for it to be debated by councillors it needs 4,000 signatures.

Mrs Miller is urging residents to get behind her campaign and sign the petition.

She said: “Old Down is integral to the health and quality of life of the local community and supports and enhances natural and ecological wildlife habitats.

"Working together with councillors, local groups, and residents I have launched this petition calling on the borough council to designate Old Down as Local Nature Reserve and protect this important community green space.

“With only a month to go until the next full council meeting, we are still some way short of the necessary 4,000 signatures. It is vital that we push to this number so that the council must debate the petition.

"I would encourage everyone who values green space and nature in Basingstoke to sign and support this important cause.”

In 2013, a petition was raised by residents seeking to declare both Beggarwood Park and Old Down as LNRs.

The council adopted a priority list for declaring these and as part of this process Beggarwood Park was declared as a LNR.

However, because of potential issues relating to the development of Manydown, Old Down was excluded.

The emerging plan for the South West of Basingstoke shows entry points to Manydown through the Hounsome Fields development and land closer to Junction 7 of the M3, which would remove the need for access through Old Down.

Mrs Miller said: “Now is the right time to put in place the proper protections for Old Down which is an area of wild open space valued by so many Basingstoke residents.”

You can sign the petition here. 

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