Strategic gaps secured in Local Plan

We are working to define strategic gaps in the Local Plan to protect our villages. Working with Oakley & Deane Parish Council, we are ensuring the Oakley–Basingstoke gap delivers what we need – a meaningful area that separates Oakley from Basingstoke. It is absolutely critical that any development along the west side of Basingstoke honours this position in planning policy.

For North Waltham, we have pushed to dramatically increase the size of the strategic gap, pulling development back from the north of the village to the area along the A30. The gap will be planted with trees to preserve our rural environment. We have worked to reduce the site allocation boundary and add buffer planting around development as it approaches North Waltham, rather than just north of Maidenthorn Lane.

We’re also pushing for green corridors through any development to connect Old Down to the strategic gap and link up biodiversity corridors into the wider countryside of North Hampshire. These plans will be enshrined in policy in the new Local Plan.