CONCERNS have been raised by borough councillors as the debate over water supply in Basingstoke continues.

As previously reported, Government calculations suggest as many as 17,820 new homes need to be built in Basingstoke and Deane by the end of 2039, and council documents reveal that Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) needs to build 7,703 houses more than they currently have in the pipeline.

It's part of the update process of a document called the local plan, which sets the rules surrounding the development of the borough and can be used by developers as a blueprint on where and how to build houses.

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During an economic, planning, and housing committee meeting held on Monday, July 18 it was brought to light that residents' water supply would have to be "rationed" if plans go ahead.

At the meeting, councillors began to discuss a water cycle study, which has been developed to provide evidence to ensure that the scale and location of proposed development can be met without impacting on the water environment. 

On Thursday, September 1 councillors met again and concerns were raised about how South East Water and Southern Water will ensure delivery of water if there is another draught.

The leader of the Labour group Cllr Andy McCormick said: "When we are looking at things like the fact that water companies who have to legally do things, for example not having raw sewage discharged into our rivers, they are clearing failing and that has been given national recognition. 

“It would be naive of any of us, be it councillors, MP’s or experts, to think that we have just had the worst drought in 500 years, and we won’t have one for another 500 years because there is climate change and that is going to introduce additional stresses.

“I would like reassurance that we will have adequate water supply taking into account in regards to climate change. The current study could not have taken this into account before because it was made before the draught, so I have real concerns."

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Meanwhile, Cllr Tracy Woodruff, chairman of Whitchurch Town Council called on the council to “protect water resources” and the “environment”.

She added: “The Loddon and the Test are in danger. Last week we were presented evidence that the aquifer is reaching containments, and the Test is in serious decline. Whitchurch water waste treatment works will experience an 86 per cent increase in contaminants largely due to the proposed Popham Garden Village to meet your housing targets."