COUNCILLORS are set to ask for the decision to go ahead with Basingstoke's leisure park to be reconsidered.

As previously reported, councillors and the authority's cabinet decided to move forward with plans to redevelop Basingstoke's leisure park, despite councillors branding the ideas as 'disappointing', a 'missed opportunity' and 'unambitious'.

The leisure park on the outskirts of Basingstoke town centre is a popular destination, enjoyed by many residents and their families. But the facilities at the park were mostly developed in the 1980s and 1990s and it is now in need of updating to meet the needs of the borough’s community and reflect changing trends and demand in leisure.

READ MORE: Plans for leisure park take step forward despite councillors' 'disappointment'

Last year Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) unveiled a draft masterplan setting an overall vision to guide future development. It was created by a team of experts advising the council - as the owner of the leisure park, and shaped by comments and views expressed in a consultation that ran during February and March 2022. 

As part of the plans, a new Aquadrome could be built by the council in a new location on the leisure park. All other facilities, including the ice rink, Milestones museum, the cinema, bingo and bowling, will stay in place with operators encouraged to improve and enhance them.

A re-designed park running from east to west is central to the proposals, connecting new and improved attractions with green open spaces, picnic spots and a range of free outdoor activities, which could include ‘pop up’ events, nature trails, an outdoor gym and play areas.

During a cabinet meeting held on Tuesday, January 10, members agreed to move forward with the plan despite the wide criticism it has received.

Borough councillors had previously asked councillors to explore further options for the site so the decision came as a bitter disappointment to many.

SEE ALSO: Leisure park: Basingstoke councillors angry as plans move forward

Since then the Gazette has been informed that the decision will be called in and during a BDBC scrutiny committee meeting on Tuesday, February 14 councillors will be asked to reconsider the decision.

Under the Local Government Act 2000, the council has to have a call-in process for decisions taken by its cabinet that are yet to be implemented. This is one of the tools that allow other councillors to hold the cabinet to account for the decisions they make.

A valid notice of call-in has to be submitted that is signed by five councillors, sets out the reasons for the call-in and is submitted within five working days of the date of publication of the decision.

A spokesman for BDBC said: "A call-in meeting of the scrutiny committee will be held on the decision to adopt the Basingstoke leisure park masterplan, after a valid request was made by eight councillors.

“An extra meeting of the scrutiny committee will be held on Tuesday 14 February as a one-item agenda meeting to hear the call-in.

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“The scrutiny committee has the power to call in decisions made by the cabinet. The purpose is to consider whether to recommend that a decision made, but not yet implemented, should be reviewed by cabinet.

“Call-in allows an issue to be discussed and the decision to be reviewed in a public forum in a way that adds value to the decision-making process.”

The decision was made during the cabinet meeting last month, which incredibly only lasted 35 minutes.

Cllr Paul Harvey said the call-in has been given the green light because "of the way and how quick the decision" had been made.

The committee, after considering the evidence presented at the meeting, will either take no further action or refer the decision back to the decision-maker for reconsideration.