Boundary Hall development
On Wednesday 1st July, the future of the Boundary Hall site in Tadley will be determined by the Development Control Committee of Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council. This follows previous attempts by developers to build a housing estate and prior to that, a supermarket on this site.
Opposing this plan presents me with a real dilemma because the fate of Tadley Scouts, who have my full support, is linked to this planning application. If this plan goes ahead, the old buildings will be demolished. As the Tadley Scouts currently occupy these buildings, it has been agreed that they will re-locate to a new facility funded by Section 106 contributions from the developer. I acknowledge the need of Tadley Scouts for new accommodation as the existing buildings are almost dilapidated. I continue to support Tadley Scouts and recognise the value of their contribution to the community. If this development does not go ahead, it effectively means that for the foreseeable future, Tadley Scouts will not get their much needed new building. However, supporting an unsustainable development is too high a price to pay to secure the funding for the new scout building.
I will be speaking at this meeting against the planning application by Cala Homes.
You can click for details of the planning application BDB/67609 and here to see a copy of my open letter to the planning officers in basingstoke.
Stephen West
The Housing Development planned for the old Boundary Hall site in Tadley was given the green light last night by the Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council Development Control committee. The committee voted in favour of this proposal despite safety concerns from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and against advice from the Borough’s own planning officers who recommended refusal.
My argument that this development was too large and that it would put too much pressure on local amenities and infrastructure did not have traction with most of the committee members.
Meanwhile, the HSE have a limited time to appeal this decision and if any appeal is upheld, this could cause the project to stall before it even gets started. If the plan does go ahead it will mean that Tadley Scouts will have made a giant step towards securing their new home. Ironically, the planning permission for the planned building in Southdown Road, Tadley will have run out by the time any building can start so they will need to re-apply for planning permission.
Some good would have come from this if Tadley Scouts get their much needed new building. Despite my reservations about the original housing development, the Scouts have my 100% support and I will do everything possible to support their new planning application.
Stephen West
For the media reaction please click to view press coverage in the Basingstoke Observer and the Basingstoke Gazette.
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