A CAMPAIGN group has said it will continue to fundraise to support a parish council's fight to stop 'gigantic warehouses’ being built on green space. 

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 council's development control committee refused Newlands’ previous application - understood to be earmarked for Amazon.

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In May this year members of the same committee refused Newlands’ revised application. 

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, starting 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.

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.

They have now reacted to the news of the inquiry.

A spokesperson for CAGE said: “CAGE, borough and county councillors, local MPs and residents are all strongly opposed to the plans to build a gigantic warehouse complex 1km long and 30m high at Oakdown Farm Dummer. Since 2020 when Newlands the developers first made their intentions clear, CAGE has seen Basingtoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) refuse the application three times.

“In October 2022 an inspector will make a decision on the planning application at a Planning Inquiry. BDBC and Dummer Parish Council (DPC) will be direct participants at the inquiry. CAGE has committed to supporting DPC by fundraising to pay for professionals to speak on their behalf. CAGE thinks that all the residents of new and older houses alike in the southwest of Basingstoke will be bitterly disappointed to learn that this giant monolith could be built right next to them.

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“CAGE is taking action to ensure that the fight against the developers at the onquiry can be as efficient and effective as possible by supporting DPC financially. CAGE is fund-raising and asking people to visit the CAGE website: cleanairgreenenvironment.org to get further information and details of how to donate."