LETTER: Restore the Camrose to a stadium we can be proud of

However, since then, key aspects of the Planning Application have fallen away. These include the Houses, Care Home and Link Road.

Three years is the allowed period for a development to start once a Planning Application is submitted, so hence it has now lapsed.

In the meantime, SNG Housing Association we understand have purchased the site from Basron. Hence, a new Planning Application is required.

The original Planning Application from Basron was submitted in 2019, so the Camrose Ground has been effectively put out of bounds in regards to football, sports and community events for the South Ham residents and indeed the Basingstoke public. The football club are displaced at HFA Winklebury and a good number of other clubs are in sequence affected.

It is my belief that the best solutions are 1) A modern state-of-the-art Stadium in Basingstoke or 2) The Camrose ground restored to its former FA step 1 status. The football ground flattened and a stadium built that the town can be proud of.

There are only two parties involved in regards to the ownership of the Camrose ground previously Basron (now SNG) and Basingstoke Council.

In previous communications I have had with Sport England, they indicate that they cannot be involved until requested by Basingstoke Council.

A good solution is what is known as the ‘Dorking Solution’ as outlined by Councillor David McIntyre at one of the Council meetings.

In principle Hampshire Football Association take over the Camrose in the same way the Surrey FA took over at Dorking’s old ground.

Whilst communicating with Sport England, three members of the Football Foundation were copied in. The Football Foundation are the body that distributes monies from the Premiership clubs to improve stadia for Non League clubs.

It is my opinion that a restoration of the Camrose ground would do much for the residents of South Ham who opposed the previous planning application 100%. It would bring life back to the whole area and, of course, much needed business.

One would hope that somehow our Council leaders could show good initiative and judgement and work out something with SNG.

Yours Sincerely,

David Graham

Kempshott

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