Following a number of previous delays, Basingstoke & Deane’s new Local Plan has taken a step forward with further consultation now agreed to take place later this year. Jon Sebbage, an associate director in Savills Central Planning team (pictured), has been following the development of the plan and here sets out the proposals. 

Work on a new plan to replace the existing adopted Basingstoke & Deane Local Plan (2016), first commenced back in 2019 and was originally planned for adoption in 2023. Its progress was subsequently delayed with a number of setbacks and revisions made.

However, following further recent evidence base work, Cabinet members this week (11 November 2025) approved publication of an updated proposed spatial strategy for the new Local Plan, which includes a number of new and updated proposed site allocations.  This is based on the need now to plan for a significant increase in the number of new homes in the borough (as well as meeting other development needs such as employment), based on the National Planning Policy Framework, published in December last year, and standard methodology.

The overall proposed spatial strategy is similar to that set out previously, with a focus on new development at Basingstoke, including comprehensive planned growth at Eastern and Western Basingstoke, with strategic allocations at Manydown, and more limited development at other settlements focused on protecting existing rural communities. In addition, a number of major new site allocations are now proposed to accommodate the Council’s increased housing need – most significantly a proposed new settlement for 1,200 homes at Upper Swallick to the south of the M3. The new allocations include:

  • Land north of Pack Lane – 300 homes
  • Land at Whitmarsh Lane (including Lodge Farm) – 1,500 homes
  • Redlands (Phase 4) – 70 homes
  • Upper Swallick – 1,200 homes
  • Land west of Upper Cufaude Farm – 220 homes
  • Oakley Farm, Wash Water – 500 homes
  • Land at West End Farm, Mortimer – 350 homes
  • Skates Lane, Tadley – 235 homes

An extract of the proposed spatial strategy is shown below.

Based on the additional housing numbers – and the increasing local population and jobs – further evidence base work has identified a need to plan for more employment floorspace to accommodate 6,400 forecast extra jobs. The proposal is that these are accommodated through the intensification of Basing View, allocations at Manydown and Popham and designated strategic employment areas.

What about infrastructure?

A key objective of the new Local Plan is to enable the timely growth of infrastructure to support the necessary growth, including in relation to affordable housing, transport, education, health and sports facilities. Accordingly, the proposed site allocation policies for the major strategic sites now includes a requirement for planning applications to be accompanied by an Infrastructure Delivery Strategy – designed to ensure that infrastructure requirements are comprehensively planned and phased. An updated new Infrastructure Delivery Plan is currently being prepared to consider what new infrastructure is likely to be needed and how it will be coordinated and delivered across the borough.

A ’stepped trajectory?

It is currently proposed that the Local Plan will include a ‘stepped trajectory’ to accommodate new development. There is logic to this approach as almost half the new homes proposed are on large strategic sites or in new settlements. However, based on the Council’s current housing land supply shortfall, and the national drive to increase housing delivery – as well as the previous Local Plan delays, it is clear that significant additional housing delivery will need to be prioritised in order to support the Council’s overall objectives and to facilitate wider employment and infrastructure requirements.

Following Cabinet members’ approval, it is intended that the draft Local Plan will be published for consultation (Regulation 18) in late November.

For more information, please contact Jon Sebbage at Savills Reading on jon.sebbage@savills.com.

 

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