THE Gazette can exclusively reveal that secret meetings have been held over the future of housing in Basingstoke's town centre.

Pick up your copy of this week's paper, out tomorrow, for the full story. 

Also in this week's paper:

  • Hundreds of people came together to raise money for two good causes at a cricket tournament on Sunday.
  • A new family-friendly bar has opened in Basingstoke offering a host of community events from wine and art evenings to book clubs and storytelling. 
  • The council ignored the view of parents and carers who offered their suggestions for a new children’s play area at War Memorial Park, the Gazette can reveal.
  • The borough council is preparing to welcome families who have had to leave Afghanistan after the country was taken over by the Taliban.
  • A Basingstoke resident who fled Afghanistan this week said they feel “immensely lucky” to have escaped the nation as Afghan families still strive to find a way out after the Taliban takeover.
  • A stalker who harassed his former partner, punched her in the face and sent her unwanted messages has avoided an immediate prison sentence. 
  • A Basingstoke gymnastics coach is accused of sexually assaulting an intoxicated woman as she ‘laid scared and crying’, a court has been told.
  • The future of a £300million project to rebuild Basingstoke Leisure Park could be at risk as both the developer and council are refusing to provide certainty it will go ahead, with plans described as “dead in the water”. 
  • PLUS: All the latest from Basingstoke Magistrates' Court.
  • Two pages of your letters to the editor.
  • Pictures: Thousands descend on War Memorial Park for Festival of Transport
  • The latest news from our communities.
  • An eight-page puzzle special.
  • Business news.
  • Three pages of entertainment news.
  • Four pages of sports news. And much more!