Object to the Basingstoke & Deane Local Plan

Protect Stratfield Mortimer, Mortimer West End and Our Surrounding Communities

Objection Window:

Opens: Friday 28 November 2025

Closes: Friday 23 January 2026 5pm

Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council is consulting on its new Local Plan.
One proposal — SP5.15 Land at West End Farm, Mortimer — would add 350 houses and a Traveller site on land outside West Berkshire and outside Stratfield Mortimer Parish, but still place heavy pressure on our schools, roads, health services and emergency planning.

This development would significantly alter the character of the area and create long-term infrastructure problems for residents of Mortimer.

Your objection counts.
Every individual response strengthens our community’s case.

What To Say in Your Objection

Below are the main grounds recognised under Regulation 18.
Use your own words, but include at least one of these themes to ensure your response is accepted.

How to Object

1. Submitting Online

Visit the official Local Plan consultation page and select “Make a representation.”
You will need to create an account before submitting your objection. Once registered, follow the on-screen steps to complete and send your response.

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2. Submitting by Email

You can request a blank representation form from the Parish Council or download one from the parish website (below).
Once you have completed the form, email it to the Planning Policy Team at Basingstoke and Deane.

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3. Submitting by Post

Blank representation forms can be requested from the Parish Council or collected from Mortimer Library.
After completing the form, post it to:

Planning Policy Team
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
Civic Offices
London Road
Basingstoke
RG21 4AH

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What to Include in Your Objection

To ensure your objection is valid and can be considered:

• Provide your full name and address, including postcode.
• Clearly state that your comments relate to the Local Plan consultation, referencing:
  “SP5.15 – Land at West End Farm, Mortimer.”
• Explain your concerns using planning-related grounds, such as infrastructure, environment, local character, heritage, or the soundness of the proposal.
• Use your own words, even if you refer to our example templates.

You may also include points specific to Mortimer, such as parish boundaries, service pressures, or emergency planning considerations

Open form (opens in new window)

Infrastructure & Services

• The plan does not assess road capacity or transport impacts.
  
• No evidence on school place provision or ability to expand.
  
• No plan for GP/healthcare capacity.
  
• No assessment of water, wastewater, electricity or gas capacity.
  
• No plan for community services such as post office/banking.
  
• No digital infrastructure assessment.
  
• No triggers or delivery mechanisms for improving services.
  

Environment & Climate

• Biodiversity impacts not assessed; no plan for 10% Biodiversity Net Gain. 
  
• Habitat and nutrient impacts ignored.
  
• Flooding and drainage risks not assessed.
  
• Impacts on local watercourses not considered.
  
• No plan to reduce emissions or manage climate impacts.
  

Design, Character & Heritage

• Development would change the character and density of Mortimer.
  
• Harm to Mortimer’s low-light/dark sky status.
  
• No assessment of heritage or conservation impacts.
  
• Traveller site inclusion lacks justification or need evidence.
  

Soundness & National Policy

• Plan may not be justified, effective, or consistent with national policy.
  
• Housing figures may be incorrect: Mortimer’s needs show only a 44-home shortfall to 2041.
  
• Mortimer West End is officially “not suitable for growth”.
  
• Questionable affordable housing mix.
  

Site Selection & Neighbourhood Plan

• Greenfield site selected despite lack of brownfield assessment.
  
• Reasonable alternative sites not properly explored.
  
• Conflicts with the Stratfield Mortimer Neighbourhood Plan.
  
• Parish Council evidence from drop-in events not acknowledged.
  

Legal & Procedural Concerns

• Consultation process may be insufficient or unclear.
  
• Evidence base (census, infrastructure studies) may be outdated.
  
• Duty to cooperate with West Berkshire may not be met.
  

Parish Boundaries & Funding

• Site is outside West Berkshire and Stratfield Mortimer Parish, yet affects all their services.
  
• No council tax or developer funding would go to the authorities providing the services.
  

Emergency Planning (AWE Zones)

• Development may compromise evacuation routes and emergency service response times.
  
• Scale may affect AWE Off-Site Emergency Planning requirements.
  

This Project

• NDP 2017 Process
• CIL Project Details
• Results of The Consultation

Projects

• A Footpath/Cycleway to Burghfield
• Cemetery
• CIL Project Details
• Climate and Environment
• Community Award
• Community Grant
• Fairground
• Heritage Trails
• NDP 2017 Process
• Neighbourhood Action Group