AFTER years of debate the decision to throw out plans to build a £10 million stadium in Basingstoke was met with cheers of elation on Tuesday night.

More than 120 residents piled into the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council cabinet meeting to hear the verdict that the Old Common would remain undeveloped.

As previously reported in The Gazette there has been several objections to the potential loss of the green open space at the Eastrop site, with more than 500 people writing a petition to the council against plans to house the new 5,000 capacity stadium for Basingstoke Football Club.

As residents held signs saying ‘Stop! Save Old Common’, members of the cabinet heard 24 heartfelt testimonials as to the benefits this historic bit of land brings them – with each speaker being met with rapturous applause.

The cabinet had three proposals put before them; to continue negotiations with the football club over the Old Common site, continue to look at other potential sites or halt the consideration of the Old Common site and advise the club there is no available land.

After witnessing the resounding support from residents to save the common, the cabinet were swayed to vote unanimously against the plans to build the new stadium.

The cabinet heard from Brighton Hill resident, Charmian Greenland-Jones, who is a member of Hart Animal Rescue.

She said building the stadium would cut off a natural wildlife corridor and would add to the downfall in numbers of the endangered animals like hedgehogs.

She said: “On a personal note, I have lived in this area all my life and grew up playing on Old Common, as have my children and I want it to stay as it is for their kids in the future.”

There was also a testimonial from Mr Bone, who was speaking on behalf of the Thronycroft Society, who said if the ground were to be built it would put the popular transport festival in jeopardy of ever running again.

Out of the 34 speakers at the meeting, only four of these were in favour of the new ground, including club chairman Rafi Razzak who said: “There has never been a hidden agenda by the club to make money from the stadium, all we ever wanted to do is support something local.

“If the council says that there is no location for the football club to expand I would be very disappointed in that verdict and it is effectively condemning the club.”

The council’s cabinet member for finance and resources, Cllr John Izett said that members had to weigh up the value of the Old Common against the need for the club to expand and told the meeting that during a 10 day assessment period of the site, more than 950 people were recorded using the site for dog walking, jogging or recreational use.

Cllr Izett said: “I think we do need to take into account the value residents place on public open spaces.

“Old Common is a valued, well used location in an otherwise built up urban area.

“We should draw a line through this and advise the club there is no available land for relocation.”

A statement on the clubs website said: “The club quite clearly are dumbfounded and dismayed at the decision and feel money and time has been wasted by the club. 

"It appears that councillors have used politics to reach this conclusion without thinking of the wider benefits to the town.”

Mr Razzak added: “I am extremely disappointed at the decision, having spent so many years believing the council wanted this to happen and working alongside us to achieve what we thought were joint aims.”

The club will now wait for written confirmation on the council’s decision before deciding what steps to make for redeveloping their current Camrose Stadium.

What do you think? Please email your views to newsdesk@basingstokegazette.co.uk