Determined residents have pledged to fight tooth-and-nail to block a development near their homes.
Stan Parry, 76, and Jenny West, 70, both from the Clarke Estate in Winklebury, have launched a petition to stop houses being built on Trumpet Junction, also known as The Spinney.
Planning consultants Terence O’Rourke Ltd submitted proposals on behalf of landowners the Highway’s Agency in June to develop the forested land into 122 new homes.
The revamped proposals follow an unsuccessful pitch in December last year which was met with stiff opposition from campaigners.
Mr Parry, a former Basingstoke magistrate, said he will strive to keep the area's "last green sanctuary".
"It is quiet here, it is a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life," he said.
"It's the kind of place that you spend half an hour walking around and you come back a different person.
"We are already hemmed in by development. There is nowhere else in this area that is like this at all."
In a report to planning chiefs the proposals state development of the five hectare site will “provide high quality new homes, within attractive open space and a woodland setting.”
The Highways Agency bought the site 20 years ago to improve the A339, but later scrapped the plans.
The development will build 98 homes with two, three, and four-bedrooms, and a block of 24, two-bedroom flats.
Keen naturalist, Mrs West said she was "incensed" when she heard of the scheme.
She said: "I am passionate about my nature. We have seen woodpeckers, hares, foxes and badgers.
“There is so much wildlife that would be destroyed by houses.”
Since July 4 the pair have been going door-to-door to homes on the Clarke Estate, Wellington Terrace, and Roman Park.
And after eight days the dogged duo have drummed up 400 signatures to their petition, and plan to recruit more before submitting it to planning bosses on Monday, July 18.
Mrs West said: “Everyone we have met seems passionate for the land. I have not had to talk anyone into it at all, they are all keen to sign straight away."
