New development sites sought in Basingstoke amid new rules

Basingstoke: The local council is on the hunt for new development sites. This comes after some new government planning rules were rolled out back in December.

They’re trying to get ahead with their Local Plan, which will shape how the area develops in the coming years. The goal is to keep Basingstoke and Deane safe from random developments that pop up without proper planning.

With the new National Planning Policy Framework released just before Christmas, the council is looking for sites that can be used for housing. They want to make sure they have a solid plan in place.

These new rules mean more homes need to be built, along with the necessary infrastructure. However, the council isn’t too keen on the idea of cramming in more houses than what’s already planned.

They’re currently figuring out how these new rules will affect their draft Local Plan. In the meantime, they’re asking developers and landowners to pitch in with potential sites by February 17.

They’re especially interested in ‘brownfield’ sites, which are previously developed lands. The council is also open to ideas for sites that could be used for jobs, renewable energy, and improving local biodiversity.

Cllr Andy Konieczko, the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, mentioned they’ve been working hard to understand the new rules and how to move forward. They want to act quickly to protect the area from unwanted developments.

They’ve put out a call for sites, inviting developers and landowners to submit land that could be included in future plans. Each submission will be checked for suitability.

If you’re a landowner or developer interested in this, you can reach out to the council through their site submission form by February 17. Just head to their website for more details.

For more info on the Local Plan Update, check out their website.