MORE independent shops, two-way traffic on New Road and increased green space and biodiversity.

These are just three points from a 52-page masterplan setting out the future vision for the town centre, that council bosses now wants the public’s views on.

As well as making the town centre a more pedestrian friendly area by reducing traffic, it also aims to end the reliance on the town’s main shopping centres by reducing the dominance of Festival Place and The Malls.

But the council has come under fire after it emerged that parts of the masterplan, produced by Hemingway Design, Allies and Morrison and JLL at a cost of almost £200,000, were similar to a vision previously developed by the authority in 2014.

You can read the full story in this week’s edition of The Gazette. Also in this week's paper:

  • The popular Mexican-inspired restaurant brand Taco Bell has finally opened its new restaurant in Basingstoke
  • Role model Matt gets mental health conversations going and is praised for his inspirational work
  • A member of bank staff at Basingstoke hospital has accused bosses of treating staff “like garbage” after they failed to pay a group of around 10
  • The public are preparing to make their voices heard this Thursday when three different protests will take place outside the borough council offices, ahead of a full council meeting
  • An action-packed, family friendly circus rolls into town next week - and you can win free tickets with The Gazette!
  • A proposed retirement village in the grounds of Oakley Hall in Basingstoke has been described as the “missing link” for residents and has been approved 
  • PLUS: All the latest from Basingstoke Magistrates' Court
  • Two pages of your letters to the editor
  • Two pages of news from our communities
  • An eight-page puzzle special
  • Two pages of business news
  • Three pages of entertainment news 
  • Four pages of sports news and much more!

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