MARIA CALLS FOR BASINGSTOKE RESIDENTS TO HAVE THEIR SAY ON FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF BOROUGH  

Maria Miller, MP for Basingstoke, has welcomed the publication by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council of their blueprint for planning the future of the Borough. The Council has launched a six week consultation on their Core Strategy, which is the key document of the Local Development Framework, and sets out principles and policies regarding development here over the next 15 years.

Maria took the opportunity of a meeting with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust to take stock of some of the key environmental and biodiversity challenges that the Borough is facing over the same period, and how climate change might impact on us. She met Debbie Tann, Chief Executive, and Alison Cross, Head of Conservation for North Hampshire, and also heard from them about some of the exciting work that they are doing in the Basingtoke area.

Maria said: “I welcome this consultation by the Borough Council on the Core Strategy for our Borough, which represents a great deal of hard work on the part of the Council. I will be studying the detail carefully to see what is proposed, and particularly at the extent to which it provides robust safeguards for our environment. I am very concerned to ensure that the development of the Borough takes place in a way that protects and enhances our precious environment and natural resources.”

“I would urge all Basingstoke residents to get involved in this consultation, and help ensure that we are planning for the future in a way that will ensure that Basingstoke continues to be a great place to live.”

Maria added: “I was really pleased to talk to Debbie and Alison about the work that the Wildlife Trust is doing, and to hear that they too have a vision for how the Borough’s important biodiversity assets should be protected and enhanced as part of the development plans.”