BASINGSTOKE and Deane Borough Council is asking for further public engagement as new discussions on the Manydown development are set to be held during a series of drop-in events.

Residents have already had the chance to shape the Manydown project during two previous consultations, helping with key elements of the proposed master plan including the development of 3,200 new homes, two primary schools and a secondary school, a country park and a range of local shops and facilities.

As joint landowners, the borough council and Hampshire County Council have a 999-year lease of the land which has been incorporated into the recently approved Local Plan.

Cabinet member for property and development, Cllr John Izett, said: “To thrive, the new community will need to be well designed and planned so that it is a place residents want to live in and make their much-needed new homes, as well as providing good new schools, community facilities and a country park.

“From the outset communities have been involved in shaping it [Manydown] and I’m certain our proposals are strong and better as a consequence.”

The site will also include land which is not council owned, and to co-ordinate the developments of the infrastructure needed to support them, the borough council has set up a Manydown Development Brief.

Now two further consultations based around the master plan and the development brief will run side-by-side until October 13 so residents can comment on all aspects of the project.

Leader of Hampshire County Council, Cllr Roy Perry, added: “As joint landowner of this key site, we want to see a development of which we can all be proud.

"We would encourage as many people as possible to take this final opportunity to have their say on the current proposals.”

Public drop-in events will be held at different locations throughout September, with the first of these held at The Malls last Saturday, followed by Oakley Village Hall on September 23 and Basingstoke Sea Cadets and Community Centre on September 24. For more information or to take part in the consultation visit basingstoke.gov.uk/ManydownSPD