A FORMER football stadium ground is set to be used as a ‘site compound’ during works to update a Basingstoke roundabout.

However, the owner of the land said he does not know if his company is making any money from the arrangement.

The Camrose football ground’s car park will be used by Hampshire County Council appointed contractors Milestone Infrastructure Limited from February 11, as part of its £20 million improvement scheme to update Brighton Hill Roundabout over the next two years.

The works were due to start in the autumn last year but were delayed and have begun this week.

In a letter sent to residents, Richard Humphrey, client project manager of the scheme, said: “The site compound will be set up on the site of the former Camrose football ground within the existing car park from 11 February 2022.

“Access to the former football ground will remain open for ongoing maintenance by the landowner. The site will be leased to the contractor by Basingstoke Town Limited.”

Basingstoke Town Limited is owned by former owner of Basingstoke Town Football Club, Rafi Razzak.

Mr Razzak, who is director of Centerprise, evicted the football club from The Camrose in 2019 before attempting to push through a planning application to redevelop the land, through his company Basron.

However, the applications were rejected by the borough council and are now going through an appeals process with the Planning Inspector.

Asked whether his company would be making any money from the lease agreement with Milestone Infrastructure Limited, Mr Razzak said: “I’m not involved in those details.”

He accused the Gazette of trying to “mar my application” regarding his appeal, adding: “For 21 years I supported the football club. Now all I am is a baddie.”

When pushed as to whether his company would make money out of the arrangement with Milestone Infrastructure Limited, he said: “To the best of my knowledge I’m not getting any money.”

He then added: “I don’t know anything about it.”

Hampshire County Council said: “The site is being leased to the contractor by Basingstoke Town Limited. Hampshire County Council is not a party to the lease.”

Jack Miller, chairman of Basingstoke FC, is concerned about the plans and said: "A concern of mine is whether that might have an impact on the appeal because it can be seen as having a change of use and we don’t want it to get to that stage.

“It seems that someone somehow has made the decision that they are happy to pay Rafi Razzak for that land and there has been a deal there somewhere, which has not been public knowledge. I don’t understand why this ground was chosen it seems like a bit of a coincidence to me.”

The roundabout scheme is designed to support growth, reduce journey times, and create an enhanced and safer environment for cyclists and pedestrians, by widening and signalising the roundabout, adding additional capacity to its main arms.

As part of the work, the roundabout will be widened to add extra traffic lanes to the inside of the roundabout; new traffic lights will be installed to better manage traffic; improved cycle facilities will be created with shared and dedicated cycle lanes; and new improved street lighting will be installed.

The scheme is being supported by Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership, local developer contributions, and Hampshire County Council Local Transport Plan Funding.

Work to the Brighton Hill Roundabout began on Monday and is set to be complete by winter 2023.

Work will take place between 7.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 1pm on Saturday.

During off peak hours, traffic may be reduced to single lanes on all arms of the roundabout, resulting in delays.

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