THERE have been mixed feelings about plans that could see an indoor water park resort built in Basingstoke.

As previously reported the proposed concept of an indoor water park resort will be discussed in a meeting next Tuesday, March 7, as Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's cabinet considers whether to progress formal negotiations with Great Wolf Resorts to sell Basingstoke Golf Centre as a location for the development.

The council launched a national and international marketing campaign to encourage leisure attraction developers to invest in Basingstoke Leisure Park, and as a result of this, Great Wolf Resorts expressed interest in the 27-acre council-owned site. 

The proposed resort could feature a 500-bedroom hotel, an indoor water park, conference facilities, and leisure offerings including mini-golf, mini-bowling, ropes course, games arcade and a selection of restaurants, cafés and bars, all subject to a lengthy planning process. 

READ MORE: Great Wolf Resorts could bring indoor water park resort to Basingstoke

The leader of the Labour group Cllr Andrew McCormick was not too keen on the idea.

He said: "I am not enthralled by the idea to build such a resort in the centre of Basingstoke and I am not sure it is the right thing for the people of Basingstoke. It would mean more visitors attracted to Basingstoke every day, which I am all for but I just don't know if it is right for the people."

The leader of the Basingstoke Independent group Cllr Paul Harvey said the plans leave lots of unanswered questions.

He said: “We need to understand the details. Will the resort facilities be open to local people and if so at what cost, how many local people will be able to access the resort at one time? Will the design of the buildings be of good quality? What does this mean for the wider leisure park – has that been thought through?

"The administration running the council has been very secretive over this and everything else to do with the leisure park, so we need to see a lot more information to really understand the proposal and what is actually on offer. Let’s remember every major project that the current council administration has been involved with has failed, they don’t exactly fill your confidence.“  

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However, the MP for Basingstoke Maria Miller has welcomed the news.

She said: "Great Wolf Resorts proposal to bring an indoor water park resort to Basingstoke shows the strong business interest to invest in Basingstoke. The proposed Great Wolf indoor water park resort in Basingstoke would be in addition to the £40m renewal of the Aquadrome already announced and could bring a further £275m of investment into the borough.

"I will look carefully at the details of the proposal and its impact on residents who use existing sports facilities, including the council-owned golf course. It’s important that local residents and other local facilities benefit from the proposal.” 

Ward councillor for South Ham, the area where the plans are proposed, also shared a more positive outlook.

He added: "Generally, I think this scheme will have a positive impact on Basingstoke and cautiously support it. A transport strategy will be required for the leisure park if this plan gets up and running, currently, the council doesn’t have one for the current leisure park redevelopment scheme.   

"The council report states that a potential of 600,000 visitors could visit this water park, so an impact assessment will be required on local residents and local infrastructure will have to be upgraded. Local residents will need to see improvements to their area/environment. An alternative site for the current golfing centre will also be required."

Despite this other councillors have shared their concerns including Cllr Onnalee Cubitt.

She added: "Whilst I am excited with the prospect of a new Water Park next to our beloved leisure park I was most concerned when I looked up Great Wolf Resorts and saw the scale and height of their hotels and parks across USA. It looks like they have an established formula.  The problem is one of inappropriate scale if built in Basingstoke. The 500-bed hotels are huge and high and would not be in keeping with Basingstoke. It would dominate the skyline and set a dreadful precedent for building going forward."

The Gazette also contacted the leader of the Liberal Democrat group Cllr Gavin James but has not received a response.