A DEVELOPER has submitted new plans for a distribution warehouse at Basingstoke Gateway, after asking residents to submit feedback on the new ideas.

Newlands Developments submitted a revised planning application to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for the new distribution hub on the land near junction 7 of the M3.

In October, members of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s development control committee refused Newlands’ previous application - understood to be earmarked for Amazon.

SEE MORE: Have your say on proposed Lidl development plans at Junction 7 of the M3

The application includes smaller dimensions and a new occupier for the largest of the three warehouses proposed: supermarket chain Lidl.

The proposal is now 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 proposed plans would save the 67 oak trees and three beech trees in Oakdown Farm, which would have been removed if Amazon plans went ahead. The news came after a petition, which looked to save the oak trees from destruction, gained more than 100,000 signatures

Christine Northam is a member of the Clean Air Green Environment (CAGE) group who oppose the Basingstoke Gateway proposals plans.

She said: “All they have done is made it smaller and it is great that the historic trees will be saved but it will still significantly impact the countryside and it will be gone forever if plans go ahead."

Despite this, a spokesperson from Newlands previously said the new plan “significantly” increased the amount of open green spaces.

The plan states that the existing mature vegetation will surround the site, which will be “supplemented” with areas of new woodland, scrub, and tree planting.

READ MORE: Housing debate: Councillors continue to debate the number of houses to be build in Basingstoke

A spokesperson from Newlands added: “Our revised application seeks to address some of the main concerns raised in relation to our previous application. Some of those major changes include: retaining the avenue of oak trees, reducing the floorspace by 65 per cent, cutting traffic movements by 80 per cent, reducing the building heights by 2-3 metres, and significantly increasing the amount of open, green space. We’ve also managed to reach a 23 per cent biodiversity net gain on the site.”

It is not yet clear who will occupy the other two buildings.

The consultation process is expected to last until Thursday, March 31.

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