A PROTESTER has said that taking the decision to the High Court will be the last chance to save the Camrose ground, after permission has been granted to build dwellings and a care home on the grounds of the football stadium.

As previously reported, permission has been granted for 85 dwellings and a 70-bedroom care home on the Camrose football stadium site after a government inspector approved the developer's appeals.

The community football club which occupied the site before it was thrown out by its former owner Rafi Razzak and his company Basron, had been fighting for the borough council’s development control committee refusal decision to be upheld, but last week (May 6) it was announced that the inspector has sided with the developer.

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Reacting to the news, David Graham, who lives in Basingstoke and is just one of the dedicated football fans protesting to save the much-loved stadium, said the only hope is to take the decision to High Court.

He said: “I am certainly surprised and the only possible saving grace as I understand it is that Basingstoke Council do not have to accept a tier one decision. They can and should move it on to a High Court judgment.”

David fears this could be the last chance the football ground has, describing it a complete tragedy.

He added: “In the original hearing the council dismissed his [Rafi Razzak] previous planning application and as I understand neither side needs to accept the verdict.

“I am sure if it went the other way he [Rafi Razzak] would have appealed it and we are now requesting that the council should take this up to the High Court on the grounds that the report is totally flawed.”

David said that all they can do now is put “pressure on the council” to do the “right thing” and the High Court is as far as they can go to help save the ground but people “are outraged across the country”.

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

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has been contacted for a comment.

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