Basingstoke local plan to move forward into public consultation stage

The decision was made during a meeting of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s cabinet on Tuesday, January 9.

As previously reported, government calculations suggest as many as 17,820 new homes need to be built in the borough by the end of 2039.

The plan includes a ‘stepped trajectory’ approach, put forward by the new administration, which will see the current government figure of building 850 homes a year, reduced to under 700 a year from 2025 for the first five years of the plan.

READ MORE: Basingstoke local plan: Residents to have a say in consultation

Residents outside the council offices previously protesting the plans (Image: Old Basing & Lychpit Environment Campaign group)

During the meeting Cllr Andy Konieczko said: "As a cabinet we feel that the number is too high but we have been told by our planning officers and two sets of barristers that we don't have the flexibility to lower that number."

The Government published its new national planning policy framework just before Christmas last year which sets the rules for authorities as local plans are prepared. 

In the updated National Planning Framework document, published on Tuesday, December 19 it states "the outcome of the standard method is an advisory starting-point for establishing a housing requirement".

It goes on to state that there must be exceptional circumstances to change the housing number.

During the meeting concerns were raised about what this means for Basingstoke and Deane.

SEE ALSO: Basingstoke local plan: Concerns raised about warehouses

Hampshire County Council Cllr Stephen Reid said the "standard method is now a starting point not a destination".

He said the plan has "not taken into account some of the important options for slowing down the borough's rate of growth".

He called for it to be reviewed, adding: "I suggest it would be unwise and also unsafe to take the next step today to go out to consultation on a plan drafted in ignorance of the facts."

Cllr Andy McCormick disagreed and said he sees "no reason to delay the plan any further".

Cllr Konieczko said the "impact of the framework" is not "as straightforward as some none experts claim".

In response, he added: "There seems to be a consensus in the community that the new framework hasn't changed a lot in reality. However given how much is at stake it would be negligent of us if we didn't seek further expert guidance so that is exactly what we are going to do."

He said the cabinet has asked the planning team, legal advisors and Michael Gove to find out if the new rules allow the council to set its own housing number.

SEE MORE: Borough council's plan to slow down house building debated

If there is scope to reduce the housing number Cllr Konieczko said the council will look into it, but in the meantime "it is vital" the plan is shared with residents.

Basingstoke's MP Maria Miller has also spoken out following the new framework, she said: "Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council must reflect this new government planning policy in its forthcoming revised local plan due for consultation in January.

"I have long argued Basingstoke is exceptional, it is an outlier when it comes to historic high levels of housebuilding."

Despite these concerns the cabinet agreed to move forward with the public consultation stage, the leader of the council Cllr Paul Harvey added: "This hands this document over to the public and the residents of this borough now have the opportunity to take part in a consultation and we want to hear from people about what their view is."

Councillors have already removed some sites from the plan including Lodge Farm, Skates Lane and land west of Upper Cufaude Farm.

The consultation period will take place from Monday, January 22 to the beginning of March.