A GOVERNMENT planning inspector has been sent a housing blueprint that could hold the key to how many new homes are built in Basingstoke and Deane over the next 15 years.

The draft Basingstoke and Deane Local Plan suggests building 748 new homes per year in the borough until 2029.

After a public inquiry, chaired by a Government planning inspector, the Planning Inspectorate will decide if it is a sound plan, and a decision is expected early next year.

Councillor Mark Ruffell, borough Cabinet member for planning, said: “We have worked hard to come up with a balanced plan to support our borough’s future prosperity and protect our existing communities.

“It has been informed by extensive consultation and based upon robust evidence. This is a key step towards having an adopted plan which will allow the council to make important decisions about where development goes.

“The longer we continue without a plan, the greater the risk of these decisions being taken out of our hands.”

As reported in The Gazette, a High Court judge left the borough’s house-building plans in tatters two years ago when he ruled that leaving the controversial Manydown land out of development proposals was “irrational and unlawful”.

About 3,400 homes are now planned for the site as part of the draft Local Plan.

Earlier this year, Cabinet members rejected a recommendation to increase the number of homes built in the borough from 748 to 807, citing uncertainties over economic growth in the borough.

The examination by an independent inspector marks the final stage of a seven-year process for producing a Local Plan, and follows the last public consultation period which took place from April to June this year.

As part of the process, the planning inspector will hold the public inquiry, likely to take place in the next three months.