RESIDENTS are invited to have their say on how parks and open spaces in Basingstoke could be protected.

Residents across the borough have been asked to share their views on how to enhance and provide a better link to provide a green infrastructure network for the future. 

As part of the East Basingstoke Management Project, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is asking for views on: Eastrop Park, War Memorial Park, Black Dam Ponds, Crabtree Plantation, Lime Pits, Basing Common and Mill Field and the links between them. 

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Cabinet member for environment and climate action Cllr Hayley Eachus said: “We are blessed with many beautiful parks and open spaces in the borough. This project aims to focus on what improvements can be made to those on the eastern edge of the town, including our destination parks such as Eastrop and War Memorial Park, to enhance those areas and link them better to benefit both our residents and the wildlife in those areas.“We have produced some initial ideas and I would like to encourage people to give their views on these to help shape how we move forward.”

The council said that the Basingstoke has a good range of parks and open spaces to the east of the town that provide a range of opportunities for residents and habitats.

However, they have also said there are elements that need to be improved and this project aims to address these, providing a network of green spaces which includes:

  • Protecting and enhancing habitats including green corridors between sites
  • Improving accessibility
  • Offering a greater range of outdoor recreational opportunities for residents and visitor
  • Supporting council priorities and initiatives including the Ecological Emergency
  • Declaration and the Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy
  • Linking places of cultural importance such as Basing House and the Basingstoke Canal with the centre of town.

The council has carried out some preliminary assessments and surveys of the area and has produced some initial ideas for how these areas could be improved.

For these to be developed further, a consultation is being held from now until Friday, July 8 to get feedback on these and to help shape priorities for the project. 

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People can view the concepts and have their say online at basingstoke.gov.uk/natural-environment-consult.

Alternatively there’s an opportunity to meet with officers at a consultation event on Saturday June18  at the following locations :

  • Eastrop Park (next to the boathouse) from 9am to 12noon
  • Crabtree (main car park) from 1.30pm to 4.30pm#

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