A CAMPAIGN group have said they are "not surprised" that an appeal has been filed after plans to build a distribution hub near junction 7 of the M3 were thrown out by the council for a second time.

Newlands Developments submitted a revised planning application to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) for the new distribution hub on the land, which included plans to build a Lidl supermarket.

In October last year members of BDBC's development control committee refused Newlands’ previous application - understood to be earmarked for Amazon.

Last month members of the same committee refused Newlands’ application once again.

Following the news the developer has filed an appeal against the decision.

The Clean Air Green Environment (CAGE) group was set up to oppose the Basingstoke Gateway proposals for the new distribution hub shortly after they were first revealed.

They campaigned to stop the destruction of 67 oak and three mature beech trees that currently line the road into the village of Dummer. The trees would have been destroyed if the original proposed Amazon warehouse was built.

Christine Northam, a spokesperson for the group said although the group are "not surprised" they are concerned the appeal has come before the BDBC's latest local plan, which sets the rules surrounding the development of the borough.

She said: “CAGE will be meeting to discuss it but we have faith in the council. We think that they are realising how in the past they've made decisions without a proper plan for Basingstoke. The warehouse plans are far in excess of whatever was envisaged for the west of Basingstoke.”

READ MORE: Appeal against decision to reject Lidl warehouse in Dummer

Despite this Christine said CAGE understand during any appeal hearing a planning inspectorate will be the one to make any final decision.

Christine added: “Yes, the decisions are up to the inspector, but it's very, very expensive for plans to go to the inspector. I think really the key thing in our case is that there is no proper plan for the rest of Basingstoke.

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“We're very concerned about the fact that decisions are being made without a proper plan and that's a disaster.”

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