Bramley Parish Council urges residents to submit comments before 140-home Stocks Farm development plans go to a public enquiry

Bramley Parish Council has urged residents to submit any comments they might have about a 140-home development before it goes to a public enquiry.

Wates Developments lodged an appeal after planning officers at Basingstoke and Deane hadn’t arrived at a decision with the initial allotted time.

The fate of the 53-acre Stocks Farm development will be decided following an 11-day public enquiry which will begin next year on Tuesday, January 10.

The initial application for the housing proposal, which would be located on the western edge of Bramley, received 257 objections from local residents.

Bramley Parish Council objected on the grounds that the village doesn’t have the required infrastructure to support such a large development.

In its objection letter, the council noted that the local doctor’s surgery and school were both nearly at capacity, and the proposed 140 homes would put a significant strain on Bramley’s sewage system, which has had ongoing problems since 2009.

The proposal from Wates Developments would be made up of 20 one-bed apartments, 45 two-bed houses, 51 three-bed houses and 24 four-bed houses, 40 per cent of which would be affordable.

The Stocks Farm proposal includes plans for allotments, community orchards, a shop or café, a skatepark, a bowling green, co-working spaces and 40 acres of public open space.

A Wates Developments spokesperson said: “We are fully committed to bringing forward vitally needed new homes to this part of Basingstoke and Deane, where there is an identified need and recognised shortage.

"The proposals provide fantastic community facilities including 40 acres of green open spaces (76% of the site), a 2km junior park run, new play park, a skate park, allotments, community orchard and a new community co-working centre with local shop.

"We look forward to progressing the scheme for 140 new homes including 56 affordable and we hope the outcome of the inquiry will facilitate delivery of the new homes and the extensive community benefits that will positively impact new and existing residents in Bramley."

Residents can view the appeal on the borough council’s website (reference 22/00029/FTD) and make a comment to the planning inspector on the Planning Inspectorate portal.

All comments must be submitted by Friday, October 21. Basingstoke and Deane’s statement of case will be published by Sunday, October 23.