Inquiry to be held into plans for new Lidl warehouse at Dummer

As previously reported, Newlands Developments submitted a revised planning application to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for the new distribution hub on land at Oakdown Farm in Dummer, which included plans to build a Lidl warehouse.

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

SEE ALSO: Campaigners call for people to voice objections to Lidl warehouse once again

In May this year members of the same committee refused Newlands’ revised application. Seven councillors in the committee voted in favour of refusal of the application, while four councillors voted against the decision to refuse.

Since then the developer has filed an appeal against the decision.

The Planning Inspectorate has confirmed to the Gazette that an inquiry will take place later this year on October 18, after a case management conference took place last week involving the relevant parties.

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.

Dummer warehouse protesters

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.

READ MORE: Scheme for controversial village development called out for 'deficiencies'

In July they took to Twitter to ask residents to object the appeal.

CAGE tweeted: "You will know that letter and emails stating your objections can be sent to the inspector who will make a final decision about the Lidl warehouse complex.

"CAGE is asking our supporters to make sure that the inspector gets a clear view of the continued strength of the opposition to this application.

"The developer, Newlands, will be hoping that the previous objectors will have lost their appetite for the fight to stop this vast development in open countryside."

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

An exact date for the final decision is still unknown and the fate of the land still hangs in the balance.