BASINGSTOKE and Deane Borough Council have objected to a plan to build a road through the historic Camrose Ground.

The authority said it would lead to a loss of "existing cultural and lesiure facilities without satisfactorily demonstrating that sufficient and alternative provision has been made", giving hope to fans of Basingstoke Town Football Club who hope to preserve the site as a sports ground. 

The planning application had been submitted to build a road through the heart of the ground, running from Western Way to Winchester Road. 

It is part of a scheme relating to the redevelopment of the much-maligned Brighton Hill roundabout.

The objection from Basingstoke Council now throws doubt onto Hampshire County Council's redevelopment plan to improve traffic flow through the notorious bottleneck, which is the junction of the A30, The Harrow Way, Pack Lane, Brighton Way and Western Way.

In a decision notice to Hampshire County Council, Mike Townsend, Planning and Development Manager said: "The proposed highway link owing to its siting would lead to the loss of an existing cultural and leisure facility without satisfactorily demonstrating that sufficient alternative provision has been made to offset this loss.

"As such it is contrary to paragraphs 92 c) and 97 of the National Planning Policy Framework and would be contrary to Policy CN8 of the Basingstoke and Deane Local Plan 2011-2029."

As previously reported, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council had planned to hand over their share of the Camrose ground to Hampshire County Council, for free, as part of the development. The council own around 30 per cent of the ground, including a strip of the pitch.

Now, after months of campaigning by club supporters and this newspaper, the council believe that the "cultural and leisure" ramifications are not acceptable.

This comes after reports that the scheme had been thrown out all together.

A statement released on Basingstoke Town Football Club's fan forum says: "We understand that this reflects Sport England’s objection to the loss of the sports amenity that has long been provided at the Camrose without any agreed like for like mitigation.

"This indicates that no s106 agreement is in place in relation to the pending applications from Basron for the Camrose. The fight to save the Camrose continues."

However, it is understood by the Gazette that no official decision has been taken as yet by HCC, who, as transport authority in Basingstoke, will make the final decision.

Since January, the Gazette has been campaigning against construction at the Camrose site until a like-for-like stadium is agreed. 

It comes after our reporters unearthed a historic document signed by the Camrose's former owner Lord Camrose. He placed a covenant on the football ground to protect it from development until 2053. 

However, there was dispute from Basron Developers, who owns the majority of the land, about whether or not it is enforcable.

The planning applications for a housing development and a care home on the site are still to be determined by Basingstoke council.