AN ENVIRONMENTAL campaigner has pleaded with the borough council to make sure new houses built as part of Manydown do not have an impact on climate change.

As it stands Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hampshire County Council are the joint owners of a long lease on 2,000 acres at Manydown, with plans to develop the land into garden communities in western Basingstoke.

The northern part of the land has already been allocated and a new community with more than 3,500 homes with a 250-acre countryside park will be created.

The councils are considering how the land to the south should be developed, but it could see an even larger development with 10,000 homes proposed.

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During a borough council overview committee meeting held on Wednesday, October 5 concerns were raised about reaching the borough target to be net zero by 2030.

Miranda Chubb, chair Greener Basingstoke, said: “As COP27 approaches it is a reminder to all of us that climate change is arguably the greatest threat to the world and making urgent changes across the borough to reduce the level of carbon emissions must be our highest priority.

“Addressing the impact of climate change we know must be the golden thread that runs through all of our decision making even in relation to the Manydown development. Due to this the homes and community facilities in Manydown need to be sustainable as energy sufficient as possible and constructed to net zero or passive house standards.

“The Manydown homes are currently set to be built the future home standards, which although it is better it is not actually zero carbon or passive house standard, which is what is needed to reach the borough target to be net zero by 2030.”

She also pointed out future issues.

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She continued: “In the future there may also be energy and water shortages due to climate change so its important that any new homes use as little energy as possible and maximises onsite renewable energy regeneration and Minimise water use.

“You all know that we are in a climate emergency, please can just ask for assurance that any new homes, including those built on Manydown are contracted to net zero, they that minimize renewable energy regeneration and minimize energy and waste use.”