MP slams Buckskin and South Ham regeneration uncertainty

Speaking in a Westminster Hall debate he secured on Wednesday, July 15, Luke Murphy, MP for Basingstoke, said residents remain "frustrated, uncertain, and anxious about the future".

He told ministers that around 3,000 households across Buckskin and South Ham are still sitting in zones designated for "further study", with no idea whether their homes will be affected or when any changes might happen.

Mr Murphy said he has spoken to residents left in limbo, with some delaying home improvements, holding off selling their properties, and putting major life decisions on hold as they wait for answers.

Luke Murphy MP speaks about the Buckskin and South Ham regeneration in Parliament (Image: Parliament)

Mr Murphy also raised concerns about who residents can actually hold accountable, given the regeneration is being delivered by the Sovereign Hill Partnership – a joint venture between SNG and the Hill Group – while Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council remains a partner through a 2023 memorandum of understanding (MoU).

He called for greater democratic oversight, including looking at resident ballots similar to those required for large regeneration schemes seeking funding in London.

In a letter to SNG group chief executive Mark Washer, sent the same day, Mr Murphy wrote: "If the council have agreed the MoU with Sovereign Network Group and are working in partnership together, but the Sovereign Hill Partnership is delivering the regeneration, who exactly should residents hold to account?

"What are the precise roles and responsibilities of the respective bodies – and who is ultimately accountable?"

Proposals for how flats could look (Image: SNG)

He also wrote separately to council leader Paul Harvey, urging the authority to provide "significantly greater transparency" on governance and decision-making, and to back calls for resident ballots.

Mr Murphy told the debate he wants clear timelines for affected households, transparency over the financial model behind the scheme, and a "significant improvement" in SNG's repairs and maintenance service to rebuild trust.

Following the debate, Mr Murphy said: "Buckskin and South Ham are proud, close-knit communities.

"Residents should not be left in the dark about decisions that could affect their homes, finances and futures.

"I used this debate to voice the concerns of residents that I hear week-in, and week-out."

Luke Murphy MP speaks about the Buckskin and South Ham regeneration in Parliament (Image: Parliament)

He added: "Regeneration can bring better homes, infrastructure and community facilities, but it must be done with residents, not imposed on them.

"I also made clear that organisations promising to transform entire neighbourhoods must first demonstrate that they can properly maintain the homes they already manage.

"I will continue pressing SNG, the Sovereign Hill Partnership, the council and the Government until residents receive the clarity, transparency and protections they deserve."

He said many residents remain "deeply fearful" about the potential use of compulsory purchase orders, and does not believe their widespread use could be justified.

Mr Murphy has asked the Government to strengthen its estate regeneration guidance, including clearer rules on resident consent, financial transparency and repairs standards.

Leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Cllr Paul Harvey (Image: Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council)

Council leader Cllr Paul Harvey has thrown his weight behind Mr Murphy's campaign, confirming SNG has "lost people's trust" over its handling of the project and branding the current oversight structure a "fog of accountability" that leaves residents unable to get a straight answer on who is responsible for what.

He revealed the council had deliberately shelved an updated Memorandum of Understanding with SNG in 2025, stating bluntly: "the reason that document was not progressed is precisely because SNG's performance did not justify it".

Cllr Harvey has now proposed writing jointly with Mr Murphy to SNG chief executive Mark Washer, demanding a "formal and substantive response" within 28 days, and has called for a three-way summit between the council, SNG and the Hill Group to thrash out expectations face to face.

"The residents of Buckskin and South Ham deserve nothing less than a united and determined response from their elected representatives," he said, adding that SNG "must do better" if the regeneration is to move forward with the community's confidence.

He added that he is hoping to arrange a round table involving all parties in order to get answers to the most pressing questions.

Polly Gardner, Director regeneration and retrofit at SNG said: "We know residents care deeply about their homes and communities and want to understand what the future may look like for Buckskin and South Ham. We’re balancing giving quick certainty with taking time to listen then develop the best plans possible.  We’ve already given certainty where we can, and this autumn we'll share an emerging framework masterplan shaped by the feedback we've received, giving people another opportunity to help influence future proposals.

"While this work continues, we're continuing to invest heavily in existing homes, repairs, local services and community facilities to support residents now and in the years ahead.

"We recognise uncertainty can be difficult for residents. In February 2026, we provided greater certainty for around one-third of homes across Buckskin and South Ham by identifying areas where only limited change is proposed. For areas that remain under further study, no final decisions have been made. We are committed to keeping residents informed throughout the process and will provide updates and clarity at the earliest opportunity as proposals develop. Residents will continue to play an important role in shaping those proposals through ongoing engagement and co-design.

"We understand some residents want greater certainty. That's why this autumn we will be sharing emerging ideas for areas, built on what we have heard from the community, as a framework masterplan, giving residents an early opportunity to see and help shape our thinking. We will continue to provide updates and engage with residents as the programme progresses.

“SNG and Hill, as partners in the Sovereign Hill Partnership, are fully accountable for the regeneration programme. The partnership combines SNG's long-term commitment as a not-for-profit housing association with Hill's regeneration expertise, and any future proposals would remain subject to governance processes, public scrutiny and planning approvals.

"We believe ongoing engagement and co-design provides residents with more opportunities to influence proposals than a single yes-or-no vote on a complex programme affecting multiple communities.

"SNG does not have compulsory purchase powers and our priority is always to work collaboratively with residents and homeowners to reach agreement. Compulsory purchase is always a last resort, after all reasonable options have been exhausted. No final decisions have been made for many parts of Buckskin and South Ham, and any future proposals would need to go through detailed scrutiny, governance processes and planning approvals.

"We recognise that some residents are frustrated by repairs and maintenance issues and we take those concerns seriously. Alongside a dedicated local team for Buckskin and South Ham, we continue to invest significantly in existing homes, completing almost 6,000 repairs since April 2026 and investing £3 million in repairs across the area.”