Popham

Advocating for North Hampshire Council

Basingstoke & Deane wouldn’t be big enough on its own, but could work with Hart and Rushmoor to create a North Hampshire Council. This would be closer to people than other proposals. We think North Hampshire is the better choice – it’s close enough to be local, but big enough to deliver all the services we need.

We are saying no to Hampshire County Council’s plan for a mega-council that would see Basingstoke combined with Petersfield and Winchester. We are backing the local plan for a North Hampshire Council.

Monitoring warehouse planning applications

Warehouse planning applications keep coming forward across the area. Independent Councillor Julian Jones raises objections on behalf of residents where proposals don’t work for local communities, highlighting concerns about transport impacts and local benefit.

For applications that are approved, we are monitoring the detailed discussions between councils and developers to make sure transport planning and local impacts are properly addressed, and holding developers accountable for commitments they’ve made.

We are tracking multiple warehouse proposals and will continue to challenge them where they don’t work for local communities.

BDBC Local Plan consultation now open

Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council has opened a consultation on the Local Plan. This is a crucial opportunity to shape how our communities develop and ensure the plan reflects local priorities.

The Local Plan will set out:

• Where new development will be located
• How much growth there will be
• What infrastructure and facilities will be delivered
• Policies to protect our villages and rural character

I am engaging with the consultation to ensure:

Local government reorganisation timeline confirmed

The Government confirmed the timeline for local government reorganisation on 5 February 2025, when the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution invited councils in two-tier areas to develop proposals for unitary local government. The English Devolution White Paper was published on 16 December 2024, outlining the government’s vision, and the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill was introduced to Parliament on 10 July 2025. Councils were invited to submit interim reorganisation plans by 21 March 2025, with full proposals due by 28 November 2025.

Chalk streams: stronger protection for the Test and Loddon

Chalk streams like the River Test and the River Loddon are globally rare – and they’re under real pressure from pollution, over-abstraction and development.

Earlier this year, Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council backed a “Rights of Rivers” motion (led by an Independent councillor) to give these rivers much more weight in local decision‑making. The next step is practical: work with residents and partners to produce a local Declaration on the Rights of the River by spring 2026, and then use those principles to shape planning and policy (including the Local Plan).

Hampshire Mayor resource launched

A new Hampshire Mayor will bring changes to how decisions are made locally. I have created hampshiremayor.com – an independent political resource outlining what’s happening, what it means, and where to stay informed with documents and background information.

The Government wants Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to have a Mayor, like London or Manchester. It wants to replace borough, county and district councils with new unitary authorities. The site provides more information about what this means for residents.

Chalk streams: Basingstoke & Deane backs Rights of Rivers

Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council has backed a “Rights of Rivers” motion to strengthen protection for our locally important chalk streams – including the River Loddon and the River Test.

It’s a commitment to treat rivers as living ecosystems that deserve a stronger voice in decisions – especially when it comes to planning and development, and how we tackle pollution and over-abstraction.

The motion also commits the council to work with residents and partners to develop a local Declaration on the Rights of the River by spring 2026.