Housing in Whitchurch – Local views ignored

Most local people will be aware of the planning application that was made for housing on the Bloswood Lane allotments in Whitchurch.

The owners, the Hospital of St Cross, had applied for permission to build 34 houses on this very special site.

The Whitchurch Town Council opposed the development,

• so did the Whitchurch Neighbourhood Plan team,
• so did the local Borough Councillor,
• so did Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council,
• so too did many residents,
• as did many allotment holders themselves.

BUT – Despite this overwhelming local opposition a Government Inspector dismissed all these objections and has allowed the building to proceed.

This is a real sad decision for the town and for local democracy and shows we ALL need to work together against awful decisions like this that over-ride Whitchurch wishes.

So much for localism.

With a national election coming up I hope our candidates will be thinking hard about how they will represent local views.

THEY SHOULD BE ASKED