Community Updates & Progress

New website launched

I have launched a new website to keep residents informed about local priorities, ongoing work, and how to get involved. You can explore community priorities, view updates on specific issues, and find regular updates on what’s happening across Oakley & The Candovers.

The site includes information about local communities, ways to volunteer or share your views, and contact details. Everything is designed to be transparent and easy to navigate – because decisions should start with residents and be shaped with them from day one.

Trenchards Lane fly tipping cleared by community

Trenchards Lane was blocked yesterday evening by bricks that had been dumped – fly tipping that made the lane completely impassable.

Thank you to members of the community who helped clear the road so it’s now passable. The debris is still on the sides of the road, so take care if you’re using that route.

Police were called and arrived as we were finishing clearing the lane. Highways are aware. I’ll follow up with Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council and Hampshire County Council on Monday to make sure the remaining debris is cleared.

Bulls Bushes Copse footpath restoration discussed at Parish Council

A resident who’d got in touch about footpath conditions in Bulls Bushes Copse came along to the Oakley and Deane Parish Council meeting to talk about it with councillors.

Following this, the Parish Council is now writing to the landowner to start a conversation and talk about restoration plans for the footpaths and rights of way affected by the logging work.

As I mentioned earlier, the woodland management plan review in 2027 is a good chance to continue these conversations. The parish council and community can work with the landowner on woodland management and public access.

Bulls Bushes Copse footpath restoration

A resident got in touch about footpath conditions in Bulls Bushes Copse after recent logging work, so I visited the site with them to see how things are.

Tracks from machinery have made some routes tricky to walk, especially when it’s wet. It’s affected both the official footpath and the permissive trail. We’re grateful to the landowner for allowing public access to these private woods.

I am working with Hampshire County Councillor Juliet Henderson and the HCC Countryside team to support the restoration work on footpaths and rights of way. I’ve also been in touch with Oakley and Deane Parish Council. I’ve asked the resident to visit the parish council so they can review the situation.

Pressing for water infrastructure investment

The new Local Plan requires thousands more houses, but existing water resources cannot sustain this growth. There is a £163 million infrastructure deficit that must be addressed. We are pressing water companies, Hampshire County Council, and the Government to fund the infrastructure needed.

Evidence shows that:

• Existing water resources cannot sustain the level of growth being proposed
• Significant investment in new infrastructure would be required
• Local sewage works are under strain and need upgrades to meet future growth
• The growth suggested by Government needs to be factored into water company plans

We are demanding transparency on capacity and pressing for concrete action and investment, not just promises. We need to see infrastructure delivered before development proceeds.

Advocating for North Hampshire Council

Basingstoke & Deane wouldn’t be big enough on its own, but could work with Hart and Rushmoor to create a North Hampshire Council. This would be closer to people than other proposals. We think North Hampshire is the better choice – it’s close enough to be local, but big enough to deliver all the services we need.

We are saying no to Hampshire County Council’s plan for a mega-council that would see Basingstoke combined with Petersfield and Winchester. We are backing the local plan for a North Hampshire Council.

Outdoor gym planning underway

Resident feedback has shown support for an outdoor gym. Oakley & Deane Parish Council is looking at potential sites and funding options, and I’m supporting this work to make sure it goes in the right place and has the right equipment for our community.

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.

Monitoring warehouse planning applications

Warehouse planning applications keep coming forward across the area. Independent Councillor Julian Jones raises objections on behalf of residents where proposals don’t work for local communities, highlighting concerns about transport impacts and local benefit.

For applications that are approved, we are monitoring the detailed discussions between councils and developers to make sure transport planning and local impacts are properly addressed, and holding developers accountable for commitments they’ve made.

We are tracking multiple warehouse proposals and will continue to challenge them where they don’t work for local communities.

BDBC Local Plan consultation now open

Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council has opened a consultation on the Local Plan. This is a crucial opportunity to shape how our communities develop and ensure the plan reflects local priorities.

The Local Plan will set out:

• Where new development will be located
• How much growth there will be
• What infrastructure and facilities will be delivered
• Policies to protect our villages and rural character

I am engaging with the consultation to ensure:

Local government reorganisation timeline confirmed

The Government confirmed the timeline for local government reorganisation on 5 February 2025, when the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution invited councils in two-tier areas to develop proposals for unitary local government. The English Devolution White Paper was published on 16 December 2024, outlining the government’s vision, and the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill was introduced to Parliament on 10 July 2025. Councils were invited to submit interim reorganisation plans by 21 March 2025, with full proposals due by 28 November 2025.

Supporting residents with management company issues

Across Oakley, I have had reports from residents facing issues with management companies and housing associations, including concerns about fees and service quality.

More broadly, the Leader of the Borough Council and our local MP have raised concerns about the practices of First Port, who have been called to appear before a Parliamentary Select Committee where their practices are being examined. This highlights the types of issues residents can face.

Chalk streams: stronger protection for the Test and Loddon

Chalk streams like the River Test and the River Loddon are globally rare – and they’re under real pressure from pollution, over-abstraction and development.

Earlier this year, Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council backed a “Rights of Rivers” motion (led by an Independent councillor) to give these rivers much more weight in local decision‑making. The next step is practical: work with residents and partners to produce a local Declaration on the Rights of the River by spring 2026, and then use those principles to shape planning and policy (including the Local Plan).

40mph signs at Newfound replaced

The faded 40mph signs on the B3480 at Newfound have been replaced by Hampshire County Council Highways. Clear signs make a real difference to road safety.

This work was completed after I’d been pressing Hampshire County Council Highways since April to replace the faded signs.

BMX pump track at Beach Park rebuilt

The Beach Park BMX Pump Track has been fully rebuilt, providing a safe multi-use track in the same location. This project was raised by residents and delivered by Oakley & Deane Parish Council (ODPC) in partnership with the community. The track offers a purpose-built space for riders of all ages – reducing the need for digging or makeshift tracks elsewhere.

Some early damage delayed completion, but it’s now ready to enjoy. This is a great example of what we can achieve when residents work together.

Oakley Retirement Village Reserved Matters application submitted

The Reserved Matters application (ref. 25/02429/RES) for the Oakley Retirement Village (ref. 20/01586/OUT) has been submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. This follows outline approval and covers the detailed design, layout, and landscaping of the development.

I am monitoring the application to make sure it meets local needs and that any impacts on the community are properly addressed.

Hampshire Mayor resource launched

A new Hampshire Mayor will bring changes to how decisions are made locally. I have created hampshiremayor.com – an independent political resource outlining what’s happening, what it means, and where to stay informed with documents and background information.

The Government wants Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to have a Mayor, like London or Manchester. It wants to replace borough, county and district councils with new unitary authorities. The site provides more information about what this means for residents.

Green space access conversations underway

I am having conversations about footpaths, stiles, and access points as part of wider work on protecting and improving our rural character.

I am working with parish councils and landowners to identify priority routes and find funding for accessibility improvements, so residents of all ages and abilities can enjoy our local environment.

Poets Meadow footpath link to begin in December

A new footpath link connecting Poets Meadow with Footpath 736 is set to begin in December, led by a local resident, working with Hampshire County Councillor Juliet Henderson. This resident-led project is being delivered by Hampshire County Council’s Countryside Project Team.

The Countryside Project Team have advised that the footpath works will link the footway already constructed by the developer by culverting the ditch and surfacing over the top. The surface for both the connection and FP736 will be Hamer Warren, which is a compacted surface but not ‘bound’ like tarmac.

Newfound Sports Ground Improvements

Oakley and Deane Parish Council are working with sports clubs and local groups to identify improvements and expansion opportunities for the Newfound Sports Ground. I’m exploring funding options and working through the necessary permissions as they develop a detailed plan for improvements.

Community defibrillators now available

New defibrillators are now available at the St. Leonard’s Centre and Oakley Village Hall, funded by the Parish Council and maintained by Oakley Community Association (OCA). They’re simple to use and available 24 hours a day.

Find locations and CPR guides at ocaoakley.org/defibs.

Bus service for Hounsome Fields being tracked

Bus service (Hounsome Fields): an hourly service (minimum 7am–4pm, Mon–Sat for 5 years) is required once triggers are met. We are tracking delivery against those legal triggers and holding the right organisations to account.

Community centres: pre-app at Hounsome Fields; funding at Golf Course site

Good progress on community centres: the Hounsome Fields centre pre-application has been submitted, with more than £1.3m secured. The centre will be around 750 sqm beside Tesco. Over £1m is set aside for the Golf Course site, with planning to follow.

Making the A30 safer near the new school

Developers along the A30 have paid over £2 million to Hampshire County Council for highway improvements, including safer crossings.

A new traffic-light crossing is planned on the northeast side of the new roundabout, next to the southern entrance to the school grounds. It’s intended to follow national ‘Manual for Streets’ guidance. The two sides of the A30 sit at very different levels here, which makes good design and clear visibility even more important.

Slow the A30: we need new speed limits

The speed of traffic on the A30 needs slowing down. Homes are being built on both sides of the road, and people should be able to feel safe walking, crossing, and travelling through the area.

Hampshire Highways can act – they have the power to change the speed limits, and we want to see them do it. Alongside better crossings over the A30, lower speeds would make it much safer to reach the school, shops, and play areas.

Junction 7 site progress, but timeline still far off

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has confirmed it has funding to purchase land near Junction 7 of the M3 this financial year.

But the overall timetable is still a long way off. Earlier this year, the Government’s New Hospital Programme placed Hampshire Together in Wave 3. The local programme has said construction is scheduled to begin between 2037 and 2039, with an updated public cost estimate of around £2 billion.

Chalk streams: Basingstoke & Deane backs Rights of Rivers

Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council has backed a “Rights of Rivers” motion to strengthen protection for our locally important chalk streams – including the River Loddon and the River Test.

It’s a commitment to treat rivers as living ecosystems that deserve a stronger voice in decisions – especially when it comes to planning and development, and how we tackle pollution and over-abstraction.

The motion also commits the council to work with residents and partners to develop a local Declaration on the Rights of the River by spring 2026.

Ancient Beech Tree granted reprieve

The ancient Beech Tree near Oakley has been granted a reprieve after the borough council confirmed it is healthy and there are no grounds for cutting it down.

Following concerns raised by residents, the council assessed the tree’s condition and health. The assessment confirmed that the tree is healthy and poses no safety risk, meaning the proposed severe cutting is not necessary. This is a great result that balances rail safety requirements with protecting our mature trees.

Road safety outside schools remains a concern

Road safety is a concern, especially outside our local schools. In October 2024, I met with the County Council, our local County Councillor, and the Highways Cabinet Member outside the schools, pressing them to take action. I presented a list of highways issues that residents had raised and I’m continuing to pursue this.

Hampshire County Council have backed off cutting crossing patrol staff, but the local school crossing patrol officer has resigned. The County have surveyed the location and it “remains justified”. Applications for a new crossing patrol officer are open.

Residents raise concerns over ancient Beech Tree

Residents in Oakley have raised concerns after an ancient Beech tree along the multi-use path was marked for severe cutting by the borough council.

The tree was one of many marked in late February after Network Rail informed the council that trees along the path must be maintained following an incident where another tree fell on the railway tracks over the winter. While the safety of rail passengers and staff is important, residents are concerned that the proposed cutting would likely kill this mature tree, which has significant environmental and community value.

Monitoring hospital timeline and pressing for clarity

The Government has published a revised New Hospital Programme timetable and, as part of that, has placed the Hampshire Hospitals scheme (covering Basingstoke and Winchester) into Wave 3, with a 2035–2039 construction start window. That means the new hospital is now unlikely to begin main construction until the late 2030s.

There is no clear published figure for what it will cost to keep the existing buildings safe and workable over that period. We are pressing for clarity on the timeline and making the case that earlier delivery makes both economic and healthcare sense.

Burial ground work begins

I am supporting Oakley & Deane Parish Council as work begins to identify and secure a suitable site for burial provision. Initial scoping and discussions have begun, and we are exploring options for location and partnership with relevant councils.

This is important work to ensure Oakley has appropriate and sustainable burial provision for the future. The Parish Council is now leading this work, after my initial location suggestions, and continues working through the necessary processes.