Local MP Maria Miller is calling for Councillors to put the health of our community first and not agree to a new Giant Warehouse Complex being built, following news that BDBC may decide on a planning application for the Giant Warehouse complex at Junction 7 of the M3 as early as 15 May, a week after the forthcoming local elections.
Maria said, "On 27 March the Hospitals Minister and Head of the NHS New Hospitals Programme Natalie Forrest announced the preferred site for the New Hospital at Junction 7 of the M3 will be purchased by the summer, and now we hear BDBC may allow commercial property developers have their planning application decided before that date so they secure approval to build Giant Warehouses without having to consider the needs of the New Hospital.
"Basingstoke Council must find a way to put the best interests of residents first and ensure the needs of the New Hospital are protected if the Commercial Warehouse Application is considered. In particular, local residents in Basingstoke will want to know how the increased traffic from new house building and a new Hospital will impact road capacity before an additional Commercial Warehouse planning application is decided. The Southwood Corner junction has long been a congestion hotspot. Plans to ensure the junction can cope with additional residential traffic and New Hospital traffic are not yet in the public domain and need to be before any Commercial planning applications are considered any further."