For many people, BAS 069 means nothing – but for Kempshott residents it was enough to kick them into action.
Residents have launched the Down Grange Action Group (DgAG) in a bid to prevent developers building on Down Grange.
The group plans to pressure Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hampshire County Council to save the parkland.
Down Grange is listed as site BAS 069 on the borough council’s SHLAA document – a list of potential building sites.
And there are fears that the county council, which owns the land, will sell it off to developers.
More than 50 residents gathered at St Andrew’s Church last month to form the group and set out a plan of action.
Heather Rainbow was elected as chairwoman.
Ms Rainbow, 64, of Buckland Avenue in South Ham, said: “We have formed to represent all people and bodies who do not want building on Down Grange.
“What we are doing is fighting it on the principle that we want to save the space and not lose our land to housing.”
The inclusion of Down Grange in the SHLAA document does not mean development will go ahead, but it does highlight sites that are suitable for development.
To date, there are no planning applications submitted for the site.
But members of the action group will only rest easy when the land is permanently removed from the SHLAA list.
Ms Rainbow said: “The future of Down Grange is complex. The DgAG is just focusing on one bit of the whole picture – no housing on Down Grange.”
The group’s secretary, Dave Luff, said he remembers the land from when he moved to the town when he was aged just six.
The 53-year-old software engineer said: “I remember walking through the green space as a kid, and now I don’t want it to change.
“I am passionate about our green, open spaces and their future is my main concern.
“I get the feeling that the town’s open spaces and Down Grange are slowly being eroded by developers.”
The group said it would object to any development plans for the site on infrastructure and ecology grounds.
Ms Rainbow said the group recognised the difficulty faced by planning bosses.
“The group does not want to lose any green spaces, but the council’s planners are faced with huge demand for housing, so they have a very difficult balancing act.
“It is going to be a very difficult political fight and a big learning curve for the group.”
Down Grange Action Group will meet on January 26 at St Andrew’s Church to plot their next move.
For further information about the group’s activities, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . com
