PERMISSION has been granted for 85 dwellings and a 70-bedroom care home on the Camrose football stadium site after an inspector approved the developer's appeals.

As previously reported, former chairman of Basingstoke Town Football Club Raffi Razzak and his company Basron Developments Ltd lodged appeals against a decision by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's Development Control Committee to reject his planning applications.

The proposals were to demolish the Camrose and build 85 dwellings and a 70-bedroom care home and six new dwellings.

The Camrose was the home of the football club for more than 70 years until it was evicted by Mr Razzak in 2016.

The club currently plays at the Winklebury Football Complex.

A government inspector conducted a thorough inquiry into the decision, which lasted for three days between March 22 and 25.

READ MORE: Final day of Basingstoke Camrose stadium appeal hearing

Now, the planning inspector's decision has been published on the government website.

On both appeals, the decision reads: "Allowed, and outline planning permission is granted".

The inspector cited multiple reasons for his decision, including " significant economic and social benefits from the provision of much needed housing."

He added: "I have considerable sympathy with those supporters who want to see BTCFC return to its historical home at the Camrose ground. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the club’s current predicament, one cannot get away from the fact that it has no control or rights over the ground and perhaps more importantly, no demonstrable prospect of returning there, irrespective of any decision I were to make in relation to these appeals. This is a further material consideration in favour of the appeal schemes."

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