THE Duchess of York has said she is horrified at plans to destroy more than 80 historic trees to build a warehouse near Junction 7 of the M3.

Writing exclusively in The Gazette this week, Sarah said the plans “must be brought to a halt before its too late”.

The 61-year-old grew up in Dummer, and has now spoken out against plans that could see 67 oak trees felled.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's development control committee approved plans for a warehouse, known as Basingstoke Gateway, to be built on land at Oakdown Farm.

Last year, The Gazette exclusively revealed that Amazon is expected to fill the unit.

You can read the Duchess of York's letter to the Gazette in full online and in print on Thursday.

Also in this week's paper:

  • Dog owners in Basingstoke are being warned after a stolen dog was found in the town, 133 miles away from its home.
  • A Sikh salesman mocked as an “Arab shoe bomber” in a sustained campaign of vile racist abuse by colleagues is seeking a record tribunal payout of £6.6 million.
  • The full story after animal rights protestors blockaded Basingstoke's McDonald's depot at the weekend.
  • A dog owner has been left petrified after her support dog was attacked whilst out on an evening walk.
  • A major drug dealer known by the street name Nemo, responsible for the sale of £1 million of Class A drugs in Basingstoke, has been jailed for more than a decade.
  • A Royal National Theatre employee whose first professional job was at The Anvil has spoken out against the cuts to opportunities which ‘changed her life’.
  • The Gazette speaks to newly-elected independent councillor Lucie Follett Maitland.
  • Tributes have been paid to a former chairman and President of Basingstoke Rugby Club and trustee of Ark Medical Trust, who died last month.
  • Plus: The latest cases in Basingstoke Magistrates' Court.
  • Two pages of your letters to the editor.
  • A look back on the history of pie shops in Basingstoke.
  • An eight-page photo special after the Festival 5k returned to the town centre at the weekend.
  • Eight pages of puzzles.
  • Three pages of entertainment news.
  • Four pages of sports news.
  • And much more!

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