BASINGSTOKE and Deane Borough Council say a legal challenge against the Camrose appeal inquiry should only be submitted if there is an “error” or if it fails to meet a fair decision.

The 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.

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

David Graham, who lives in Basingstoke, is just one of the dedicated football fans who has been tirelessly protesting to save the stadium. He formed a group with several others and with the help of Basingstoke's MP Maria Miller they submitted a complaint to the Attorney General claiming the hearing was “unfair, inaccurate and contradictory”.

Tom Payne, the borough council's interim executive director of residents’ services, said: “A legal challenge against the Planning Inspectorate’s decision could only have been progressed by the council on the basis that the decision contained an error of law or failed to follow the procedural requirements for a fair decision. Our teams reviewed the decision made by the Planning Inspectorate and there were no grounds for the council to take forward a legal challenge. 

“The council has not been approached by the Attorney General to date but we will respond with the relevant information if we receive a request.”

In a letter written to David Graham, seen by the Gazette, Ms Miller confirmed she had written to the Attorney General to call for a review.

It read: “As discussed I have written on your behalf to the Attorney General to request a review of the case and to ask for guidance about how your concerns can be escalated.”

As it stands the club is currently playing at the Winklebury Football Complex.

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