Basingstoke & Dean Borough Council
Councillors:
54
Wards:
18
Committees:
23
Meetings (2026):
68
Meetings (2025):
75
Meeting
Cabinet - Basingstoke & Dean
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Tuesday, 6th January 2026
6:30 PM
Tuesday, 6th January 2026
6:30 PM
End:
Tuesday, 6th January 2026
9:30 PM
Tuesday, 6th January 2026
9:30 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
06 Jan 2026
06 Jan 2026
Location:
Committee Rooms 1 & 2 - Deanes
Committee Rooms 1 & 2 - Deanes
Webcast:
Available
Available
Meeting Attendees
Committee Member
Cabinet Member for Major Projects and Business Engagement
Committee Member
Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure
Committee Member
Cabinet Member for Climate and Ecological Emergency
Committee Member
Cabinet Member for Communities, Partnerships and Inclusion
Chair
Leader
Committee Member
Co-Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Property
Committee Member
Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services and Housing
Committee Member
Cabinet Member for Sports, Leisure and Culture
Guest
Chair of the Licensing Committee
Councillor Tony Jones
In attendance
Agenda
1
Apologies for absence
Minutes
There were no apologies for absence.
2
Declarations of interest
Minutes
There were no declarations of interest.
3
Urgent matters
To consider any items of business, other than those shown on this agenda and which, by reason of special circumstances to be stated at the meeting, in the opinion of the Chairman, should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.
Minutes
There were no urgent matters.
4
Minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 2025
The Chair will move that the minutes of the meeting be signed as a correct record. The only part of the minutes that can be discussed is their accuracy.
Attachments:
- Document Printed minutes 09122025 1830 Cabinet 19 Dec 2025
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 2025 were confirmed as an accurate record and signed by the Chair.
5
Leader and Portfolio Holders Announcements
Minutes
The Leader of the Council:
1) Made reference to a petition of 1300 signatures from Tadley and Pamber Rural Protection Group in relation to Regulation 18 of the Local Plan and the allocation of the Skates Lane site. He reiterated that the deadline for Regulation 18 submissions was 23 January 2026.
2) Confirmed the intention to protect Old Down by designating the land as a local nature reserve (LNR). An updated priority list of sites for protection and next steps to designate the land would be considered by Cabinet in March followed by an 18 month process to formally designate the area following the same route taken to protect Little Pen Wood. It was also the intention to designate Old Down as a defined green space in the Local Plan which would afford the same protection as that of green belt land.
1) Made reference to a petition of 1300 signatures from Tadley and Pamber Rural Protection Group in relation to Regulation 18 of the Local Plan and the allocation of the Skates Lane site. He reiterated that the deadline for Regulation 18 submissions was 23 January 2026.
2) Confirmed the intention to protect Old Down by designating the land as a local nature reserve (LNR). An updated priority list of sites for protection and next steps to designate the land would be considered by Cabinet in March followed by an 18 month process to formally designate the area following the same route taken to protect Little Pen Wood. It was also the intention to designate Old Down as a defined green space in the Local Plan which would afford the same protection as that of green belt land.
6
Motion referred from Council - Supporting Local Business Logistics through a Dedicated Lorry Park
To consider the resolution referred by Council at its meeting held on 18 December 2025:
Council requests Cabinet to:
1) Commission a feasibility study to identify potential locations within the borough suitable for a secure, commercially viable lorry park to support logistics, manufacturing, and distribution businesses.
2) Engage with key stakeholders — including Hampshire County Council (as the highways authority), local business groups, the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, and logistics operators — to ensure that the study reflects the real needs of the business community.
3) Report back to the Environment and Infrastructure Overview and Scrutiny Committee within six months with an options appraisal, including high-level feasibility, risks, potential delivery models, partnership opportunities and funding considerations, before considering next steps.
4) Work proactively with partners to identify external funding opportunities, including through the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Combined Authority, the Department for Transport, and private investment, to support delivery if feasible.
Council requests Cabinet to:
1) Commission a feasibility study to identify potential locations within the borough suitable for a secure, commercially viable lorry park to support logistics, manufacturing, and distribution businesses.
2) Engage with key stakeholders — including Hampshire County Council (as the highways authority), local business groups, the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, and logistics operators — to ensure that the study reflects the real needs of the business community.
3) Report back to the Environment and Infrastructure Overview and Scrutiny Committee within six months with an options appraisal, including high-level feasibility, risks, potential delivery models, partnership opportunities and funding considerations, before considering next steps.
4) Work proactively with partners to identify external funding opportunities, including through the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Combined Authority, the Department for Transport, and private investment, to support delivery if feasible.
Minutes
Cabinet considered the following motion referred by Council:
Council requests Cabinet to:
1) Commission a feasibility study to identify potential locations within the borough suitable for a secure, commercially viable lorry park to support logistics, manufacturing, and distribution businesses.
2) Engage with key stakeholders — including Hampshire County Council (as the highways authority), local business groups, the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, and logistics operators — to ensure that the study reflects the real needs of the business community.
3) Report back to the Environment and Infrastructure Overview and Scrutiny Committee within six months with an options appraisal, including high-level feasibility, risks, potential delivery models, partnership opportunities and funding considerations, before considering next steps.
4) Work proactively with partners to identify external funding opportunities, including through the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Combined Authority, the Department for Transport, and private investment, to support delivery if feasible.
Visiting councillors McCormick and T Jones addressed the meeting.
Councillor McCormick welcomed engagement with local stakeholders however highlighted that most lorry park users would be on national or international trips. It was further commented that suitable locations were more likely to be near busy roads e.g. M3, A33, A339. Reference was made to an outline planning application for a service station at Junction 6 which could meet the needs for a lorry park in Basingstoke although there would not be overnight provision. He recommended that sites should not be ruled out before the completion of a feasibility study for consideration by Cabinet.
Councillor T Jones was supportive of a lorry park but stipulated it should not be near residential areas.
Resolved: To request officers to prepare a report for consideration by Cabinet.
Council requests Cabinet to:
1) Commission a feasibility study to identify potential locations within the borough suitable for a secure, commercially viable lorry park to support logistics, manufacturing, and distribution businesses.
2) Engage with key stakeholders — including Hampshire County Council (as the highways authority), local business groups, the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, and logistics operators — to ensure that the study reflects the real needs of the business community.
3) Report back to the Environment and Infrastructure Overview and Scrutiny Committee within six months with an options appraisal, including high-level feasibility, risks, potential delivery models, partnership opportunities and funding considerations, before considering next steps.
4) Work proactively with partners to identify external funding opportunities, including through the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Combined Authority, the Department for Transport, and private investment, to support delivery if feasible.
Visiting councillors McCormick and T Jones addressed the meeting.
Councillor McCormick welcomed engagement with local stakeholders however highlighted that most lorry park users would be on national or international trips. It was further commented that suitable locations were more likely to be near busy roads e.g. M3, A33, A339. Reference was made to an outline planning application for a service station at Junction 6 which could meet the needs for a lorry park in Basingstoke although there would not be overnight provision. He recommended that sites should not be ruled out before the completion of a feasibility study for consideration by Cabinet.
Councillor T Jones was supportive of a lorry park but stipulated it should not be near residential areas.
Resolved: To request officers to prepare a report for consideration by Cabinet.
7
Reprovision of Golf Facilities
This report details the council’s updated strategy to re-provide golfing facilities, should the existing Basingstoke Golf Centre be redeveloped by Great Wolf Resorts. The preferred option will see a new modern golf-pod style driving range and adventure golf facility located on the Plateau Site at the Leisure Park.
Recommendation from the Cabinet Member for Sports, Leisure and Culture
Recommendation from the Cabinet Member for Sports, Leisure and Culture
Attachments:
- Document Golf Reprovision at Leisure Park Report 19 Dec 2025
- Document Appendix 1 - Engagement Feedback 19 Dec 2025
- Document Appendix 2 - Illustrative Leisure Park Masterplan 19 Dec 2025
- Document Appendix 3 - Basingstoke Golf Centre - Leisure Park Version 6 - 20 Bay 19 Dec 2025
Minutes
The Cabinet Member for Sports, Leisure and Culture introduced the report which detailed the council’s updated strategy to re-provide golfing facilities should the existing Basingstoke Golf Centre be redeveloped by Great Wolf Resorts. The recommendations to site a 20 bay golf pod and 18 hole adventure golf course at the Leisure Park and continue to explore options for a new pitch and putt course would protect valued entry level golf facilities and keep them in council control, important both in terms of accessibility and affordability. Furthermore it would allow Great Wolf Resorts to continue its plans to create a new indoor waterpark resort.
He expressed thanks to officers for thoroughly investigating options for golf re-provision over the last 18 months as well as local residents, clubs and existing golfers who had provided their views.
He added that following consideration of feedback and evidence gathered during extensive engagement he could categorically confirm that the use of Down Grange for the re-provision of a pitch and putt course had been withdrawn as an option.
He concluded that the next steps would be to prepare detailed designs of the new facilities at the Leisure Park before submission of a planning application.
The following public speakers were invited to address the meeting:
Claire Harrison, Lucy Wain, Stewart Johnston, Suzie Johnston, Miranda Smith, HCC Councillor Stephen Reid and Ray Gartland.
The decision to remove Down Grange as an option for the provision of a pitch and putt course was widely welcomed. Some concerns were raised regarding the process that had been followed in selection of the Down Grange site, the lack of engagement with users and residents, traffic access to the site and the council’s lack of awareness of the wide range of use of the site.
HCC Councillor Stephen Reid expressed support for the recommendation to provide golf-reprovision on the Leisure Park and the decision to remove Down Grange as an option for a pitch and putt facility. He suggested that in recognising the value placed on it by the public, Cabinet make a firmer commitment to maintain Down Grange Park as a long-term site for casual leisure and recreation activities such as walking and exercise, dog walking and occasional approved sporting activities such as disc golf. This would give commitment to keeping Down Grange as it was now rather than ruling out one option.
Visiting borough councillors Dillow, McCormick and T Jones were invited to speak. They also welcomed the decision to remove Down Grange as an option for golf-reprovision.
Councillor Dillow considered the proposal to relocate the adventure golf and golf pod driving range to the Leisure Park a constructive and sensible step and demonstrated the council listened to the public’s views and strength of feeling opposing the use of Down Grange for golf reprovision. He questioned whether the level of golf reprovision on the Leisure Park was sufficient to meet the proposed planning requirements associated with the Great Wolf Resorts development and if that was the case urged Cabinet to recognise the opportunity to deliver the economic benefits of Great Wolf and to modernise golf provision in a highly accessible location.
Councillor McCormick was encouraged that England Golf supported the Leisure Park as a suitable location for grass roots golf. He referred to a refresh of the Leisure Park Masterplan and sought clarification as to whether it was the same masterplan that had been presented three years ago. He hoped for a better masterplan with full public consultation because of the refresh and sought confirmation from Cabinet.
Councillor T Jones thanked the Cabinet Member for his work and engagement to reach a resolution regarding Down Grange. His main concern was ensuring golf re-provision was affordable and accessible particularly to young people. He also suggested there should be better inclusion and engagement with ward councillors in relation to schemes within their wards.
The Cabinet Member for Sports, Leisure and Culture responded to the comments. He stated he had gained more knowledge and understanding of the activities and sporting sessions at Down Grange, expressed thanks to the down grange community and hoped to continue working together in the future. He acknowledged the traffic issues at Down Grange and committed to continue to investigate options. He also highlighted the report addressed the areas available in the Leisure park for golf-reprovision and would consider HCC Councillor Reid’s suggestion. In relation to planning requirements he clarified that England Golf had provided advice throughout the process. He also agreed it was important that golf facilities were affordable and accessible to all.
Cabinet discussed the proposals and were supportive of the recommendations. Thanks were expressed to officers and the Cabinet Member for the enormous amount of work undertaken over the last year investigating options and engaging with the public, local clubs and golfers and to all those who provided feedback and made contributions to the process. Public concern during the process was acknowledged however Cabinet considered the process was an exploring, learning and listening exercise in an open public way resulting in an evidenced based decision. Confirmation was given that the Leisure Park Masterplan adopted in 2023 was still in place to guide development however a significant amount of work was being undertaken by officers to improve the plan for the future. The economic and investment benefits the Great Wolf Resorts plans would bring to the area were highlighted and it was also acknowledged that whilst the driving range and adventure golf elements could be accommodated on the Leisure Park, no alternative site for a pitch and putt facility had been suggested and would need to be addressed in the future. The recommendation from the Residents Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding criteria for the evaluation process of proposed sites was acknowledged.
Resolved: That Cabinet:
1) Agree to select the Leisure Park as the preferred location of a golf pod style driving range, adventure golf course, and ancillary facilities to meet an equivalent golf reprovision need, subject to the council obtaining any necessary planning permission(s).
2) Agree to commit to continue to explore suitable sites across the borough for the provision of a new pitch and putt course.
3) Delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Sports, Leisure and Culture to:
a) commission detailed designs and apply for any necessary planning permission and enter into any legal agreement(s);
b) procure the construction of the facilities; and agree commercial terms with the appointed leisure operator or private sector provider(s) as necessary.
c) undertake any other steps that are necessary to give effect to the recommendations in the report.
4) Recommend to Council the reallocation of the approved £1.000M capital programme budget to enable the reprovision of suitable golf facilities and associated works as set out in Section 7 of the report.
5) Acknowledge and note the recommendations from the Resident Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on the 16 December 2025.
He expressed thanks to officers for thoroughly investigating options for golf re-provision over the last 18 months as well as local residents, clubs and existing golfers who had provided their views.
He added that following consideration of feedback and evidence gathered during extensive engagement he could categorically confirm that the use of Down Grange for the re-provision of a pitch and putt course had been withdrawn as an option.
He concluded that the next steps would be to prepare detailed designs of the new facilities at the Leisure Park before submission of a planning application.
The following public speakers were invited to address the meeting:
Claire Harrison, Lucy Wain, Stewart Johnston, Suzie Johnston, Miranda Smith, HCC Councillor Stephen Reid and Ray Gartland.
The decision to remove Down Grange as an option for the provision of a pitch and putt course was widely welcomed. Some concerns were raised regarding the process that had been followed in selection of the Down Grange site, the lack of engagement with users and residents, traffic access to the site and the council’s lack of awareness of the wide range of use of the site.
HCC Councillor Stephen Reid expressed support for the recommendation to provide golf-reprovision on the Leisure Park and the decision to remove Down Grange as an option for a pitch and putt facility. He suggested that in recognising the value placed on it by the public, Cabinet make a firmer commitment to maintain Down Grange Park as a long-term site for casual leisure and recreation activities such as walking and exercise, dog walking and occasional approved sporting activities such as disc golf. This would give commitment to keeping Down Grange as it was now rather than ruling out one option.
Visiting borough councillors Dillow, McCormick and T Jones were invited to speak. They also welcomed the decision to remove Down Grange as an option for golf-reprovision.
Councillor Dillow considered the proposal to relocate the adventure golf and golf pod driving range to the Leisure Park a constructive and sensible step and demonstrated the council listened to the public’s views and strength of feeling opposing the use of Down Grange for golf reprovision. He questioned whether the level of golf reprovision on the Leisure Park was sufficient to meet the proposed planning requirements associated with the Great Wolf Resorts development and if that was the case urged Cabinet to recognise the opportunity to deliver the economic benefits of Great Wolf and to modernise golf provision in a highly accessible location.
Councillor McCormick was encouraged that England Golf supported the Leisure Park as a suitable location for grass roots golf. He referred to a refresh of the Leisure Park Masterplan and sought clarification as to whether it was the same masterplan that had been presented three years ago. He hoped for a better masterplan with full public consultation because of the refresh and sought confirmation from Cabinet.
Councillor T Jones thanked the Cabinet Member for his work and engagement to reach a resolution regarding Down Grange. His main concern was ensuring golf re-provision was affordable and accessible particularly to young people. He also suggested there should be better inclusion and engagement with ward councillors in relation to schemes within their wards.
The Cabinet Member for Sports, Leisure and Culture responded to the comments. He stated he had gained more knowledge and understanding of the activities and sporting sessions at Down Grange, expressed thanks to the down grange community and hoped to continue working together in the future. He acknowledged the traffic issues at Down Grange and committed to continue to investigate options. He also highlighted the report addressed the areas available in the Leisure park for golf-reprovision and would consider HCC Councillor Reid’s suggestion. In relation to planning requirements he clarified that England Golf had provided advice throughout the process. He also agreed it was important that golf facilities were affordable and accessible to all.
Cabinet discussed the proposals and were supportive of the recommendations. Thanks were expressed to officers and the Cabinet Member for the enormous amount of work undertaken over the last year investigating options and engaging with the public, local clubs and golfers and to all those who provided feedback and made contributions to the process. Public concern during the process was acknowledged however Cabinet considered the process was an exploring, learning and listening exercise in an open public way resulting in an evidenced based decision. Confirmation was given that the Leisure Park Masterplan adopted in 2023 was still in place to guide development however a significant amount of work was being undertaken by officers to improve the plan for the future. The economic and investment benefits the Great Wolf Resorts plans would bring to the area were highlighted and it was also acknowledged that whilst the driving range and adventure golf elements could be accommodated on the Leisure Park, no alternative site for a pitch and putt facility had been suggested and would need to be addressed in the future. The recommendation from the Residents Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding criteria for the evaluation process of proposed sites was acknowledged.
Resolved: That Cabinet:
1) Agree to select the Leisure Park as the preferred location of a golf pod style driving range, adventure golf course, and ancillary facilities to meet an equivalent golf reprovision need, subject to the council obtaining any necessary planning permission(s).
2) Agree to commit to continue to explore suitable sites across the borough for the provision of a new pitch and putt course.
3) Delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Sports, Leisure and Culture to:
a) commission detailed designs and apply for any necessary planning permission and enter into any legal agreement(s);
b) procure the construction of the facilities; and agree commercial terms with the appointed leisure operator or private sector provider(s) as necessary.
c) undertake any other steps that are necessary to give effect to the recommendations in the report.
4) Recommend to Council the reallocation of the approved £1.000M capital programme budget to enable the reprovision of suitable golf facilities and associated works as set out in Section 7 of the report.
5) Acknowledge and note the recommendations from the Resident Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on the 16 December 2025.
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