AMENDED plans to build storage and distribution units on Oakdown Farm have come under fire from residents.

Newlands Development has made changes to its third application for the site in Dummer, including changing the layout of the scheme and the size of two of the units.

The developer lodged it latest application with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council in December 2023 but has since revised its plans.

As part of the changes, two units have been altered in size, one from 225,548m2 to 20,903m2 and the other increased from 19,045m 2 to 23,690m 2 – the same units have also been reconfigured.

READ MORE: Third application submitted for Oakdown Farm brings more warehouse plans

Two metres of 'enhanced earthworks screening' is now proposed to the north of one of the units and there are amendments to the internal highways layout to “improve servicing arrangements and upgrading of the footway from the site entrance southwards along the A30”.

The amended application has come under criticism from residents, who continue to be concerned about damage to the environment, increased traffic and the need for the employment site.

Louise Mulshaw, who is new to the Dummer area, said: “We feel the proposed demolition and construction is not in keeping with the area and would have a serious detrimental effect to the surrounding wildlife, which is rich. Basingstoke has a lot of sites which are already within the urban area that could be redeveloped and be used for the same purpose.

“The amount of resulting traffic for such a site would seriously affect surrounding locations.”

Dummer resident Ross McLaren wrote: “This area just doesn't want or need this monstrosity on our doorstep.

“There are existing industrial sites in Basingstoke that could house this proposal. If this land really must be developed why not a solar farm?

“How many times do we keep having to have this same battle after the same proposal repeatedly gets rejected.”

SEE MORE: Plan for more warehouses at Oakdown Farm causes concern as residents object

Roberta Swanson said: “The buildings are ugly / unattractive, functional, and completely out of keeping with the area. Unit 2 has been enlarged in the latest application. It would now be more visible from several viewpoints including from Dummer's Recreation Ground.

“The many changes to the plans are insufficient to mitigate the impact of this development on the locality. It severely degrades the character of the local downland area.”

Pamela Gooch, of North Waltham, objected to the application, saying: “The amount of traffic created by this development would cause huge disruption and air and light pollution. The local rural roads are not designed to take the increased amount of lorries and other vehicles which this development would create.”

To view the application, go to planning.basingstoke.gov.uk/online-applications and search 23/03120/FUL.