Minutes – Extraordinary meeting 17th June 2026

·         Spatial Strategy, Scale and Principle of Development

·         Sustainable Transport, Accessibility and Car Dependence

·         Social Infrastructure (Education and Healthcare)

·         Landscape, settlement character and heritage setting

Concerns in all 4 areas add up to major concerns about Bramley’s ability to absorb 650 extra homes, and the effect that such a development would have on the sustainability of Bramley’s infrastructure.

The decision to submit the objection ahead of this meeting was made due to concerns about the consultation deadline.  Although Bramley PC is aware that comments can be submitted right up to determination, it was felt that an application of this importance and impact on Bramley needed a prompt response.

Cllr Tomblin proposed ratifying the email decision to object to the planning application on this basis.  Cllr Wright seconded, unanimously agreed.

·         Sewerage and potable water is of great concern to all councillors.  Cllr Paul Harvey of BDBC was invited to give a brief synopsis of the current situation as BDBC see it.  He pointed out that BDBC now know that of the uplifted housing numbers that BDBC now needs to supply over the next Local Plan period, the various large sites likely to be in the Plan cannot be supported by SE Water.  SE Water volunteered this information as part of the consultation process for the BDBC Local Plan, and this was supported by Natural England and the Environment Agency.

As of last week, the Environment Agency has revoked the license for SE Water to use the Greywell aquifer, which covers the majority of Basingstoke, and which has reached the point of ecological collapse.  The earliest new infrastructure can be provided is 10 years from now; however, there is no real timeline attached to this.   Cllr Harvey has written directly to SE Water requesting an update on the situation.

The Bramley Meadows site is not an allocated site in the current Local Plan Update, so it is completely out of the Local Plan provision, and will therefore also not be able to be supported by SE Water.

There is no confirmation as yet from either Thames Water or Southern Water as to whether they are able to meet the demand that the new housing requirement will need.

·         Sewerage – Cllr Bell noted that this has been covered to an extent in the initial response.

·         Cllr Oborn noted that some people have emailed comments in that have not appeared on the planning portal.  It was confirmed that they will be in due course – it just takes time to process them.

·         Cllr Tomblin asked how significant the Network Rail infrastructure plan is, which is to increase freight traffic.  He asked for guidance how material an objection this might be moving forward.  Leah Coney noted that the issue has been raised and the planning officer has been asked to liaise with Network Rail on the subject.  However, there are no actual numbers surrounding timing on the level crossing and number of trains, but wait times at the level crossing are likely to increase.  So, the point has been made, but cannot be taken further at this time as there is no hard evidence with which to back it up.  Cllr Bell noted that this was covered in Bramley PC’s main response to this planning application.

·         An increase in air pollution and noise on the main road through Bramley has been noticed, as a result of an increase in rail and traffic.  Has Bramley PC considered this?.  Leah Coney stated that this has not been considered because there is no evidence beyond anecdotal.  Cllr Flooks observed that Bramley PC does have its own equipment which is out of commission at the moment, and that this could be resurrected.  However, he also noted that the equipment was different to BDBC and other standards and therefore previous data from it was not accepted.  Cllr Tomblin will raise the air pollution issue with BDBC.

·         An increase in passenger trains was noted, and it was observed that some of these are already full at peak times.  Sometimes trains do not stop at Bramley due to the full trains.

·         Concern was expressed about the traffic at the school during school drop off and pick up times, which is already a serious problem.  It was also noted that a recent traffic survey done on Bramley Lane in August 2025 would not pick up school rush hours due to it being the holidays. This comment was well supported by the members of the public.  POST MEETING NOTE: a subsequent traffic survey was carried out in November/December 2025.

·         A decline in insects and amphibians in local waterways and River Loddon has been witnessed, and sewage spillages into the River Loddon were also noted.  The Rivers Trust website records sewage breaches.  Sewage breaches are increasing as time goes on.

·         There is concern about the bridge between Bramley and Sherfield, which is not really big enough for increased site traffic.  Has any testing been done on the bridge?

·         Concern was expressed about the education issue.  Bramley School is very near capacity, and a member of the public is very concerned on the effect it will have on future children.

·         Leading on from the previous point, there will be issues with schools in the wider area for secondary education.

·         There were also concerns about capacity at the doctors surgery.

·         A resident was concerned about conditions placed on applications when approved which are not enforced by BDBC.  Cllr Harvey noted staff shortages for enforcement.  He also noted upcoming changes to the NPPF which are removing local rights to decide large planning applications.

·         It was pointed out that increases in road and rail traffic pose a real risk to life, and that emergency services would also be affected.  More houses will also impact access to the hospital – increased houses will increase waiting times at the hospital.  Any expansion of Basingstoke Hospital is unlikely to be open before 2040.

·         Has the MOD been approached for their opinion on application?  And have neighbouring parishes been contacted for their opinions?  Cllr Bell stated that Sherfield on Loddon and Stratfield Saye have both been approached and have or are going to respond.

Finally  Cllr Bell encouraged all attendees to go to the BDBC Development Control Committee meeting should the application reach that point.

Cllr Bell brought the meeting to a close at 8.37pm.