A CAMPAIGN group has declared victory after the destruction of historic oak trees has been halted.

More than 100,000 people signed a petition to save 67 oak trees and three beech trees in Oakdown Farm, which would have been destroyed if an Amazon warehouse was built at Basingstoke Gateway, the land near Junction 7 of the M3.

The news comes after Newlands, the developer behind the plans, released an early draft with Lidl set to be the new occupier.

READ MORE: Basingstoke Gateway: Developer releases early drawing of proposed Lidl warehouse

In October last year, members of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s development control committee refused Newlands’ previous application - understood to be earmarked for Amazon - despite officers recommending it for approval.

Christine Northam set up the Clean Air Green Environment (CAGE) group to oppose the Basingstoke Gateway proposals for the new distribution hub after she discovered the trees would be destroyed.

CAGE announced on Facebook on Tuesday, January 25 that their petition had officially been successful.

They said: “Today victory has been declared! Together we’ve saved the Oakdown trees.

“104,491 people signed the petition on change.org to save the Oakdown Oaks.

"The destruction of the trees has been halted as the outrage of local and national supporters has been acknowledged by Basingstoke Council and Newlands, the developers.

"Sincere thanks to all who signed the petition.”

The plans reveal that if a Lidl supermarket is built then the trees would not need to be destroyed.

The trees currently line the old road into the village of Dummer, which means they are of historical significance and are home to nearly 2,500 different species of wildlife.

Christine added: “We still feel passionately that it is a total inadequate decision for that site and we have now declared victory because the destruction of the trees has been halted.”

SEE MORE: New figures reveal Hampshire  MP spent more than the Prime Minister last year

Significant changes to the proposal have been made and the site would be 65 per cent smaller than the previous application - down from 271,000 square metres to 101,000 square metres. The height of the buildings has also been reduced between two and three metres across the site.

The supermarket would occupy the largest of the three buildings; occupiers for the other two buildings are yet to be announced.

Newlands says it now intends to carry out community consultation ahead of submitting the new application.

Message from the editor

Thank you for reading this story. We really appreciate your support.

Please help us to continue bringing you all the trusted news from Basingstoke by sharing this story or by following our Facebook page.

Kimberley Barber

Editor