The prospect of Basingstoke continuing to grow, creeping on to the surrounding countryside, has increased in the past few days.

An extra 750 homes have been allocated for land opposite Basingstoke Golf Club, leading to predictable squeals from those in the Hatch Warren and Beggarwood areas, as we report on page 30 of today’s paper.

This has been done to appease Government appointed planning inspector Mike Fox who did not think the borough council’s Local Plan was providing enough new homes to cope with a rising population.

This could be welcome news if you are among the thousands of people on the housing waiting list but it has led to fears that hundreds of new homes will be built without the infrastructure to support them.

With roads, schools, hospitals and doctors’ surgeries - and even leisure facilities - already under strain, you can see the point.

Yet those who oppose development on Hounsome Fields next to the A30 really need to provide a viable alternative vision. It is not enough to merely state that they do not want new homes built on that site.

The debate is far from over. The full council has yet to approve the changes and there will be a public consultation in May or June so there is plenty of time for people to make their voices heard.

So stand up and be counted if you have a point to make. It is vital that people who care passionately about the future of our town play their part in shaping its future.