April 2026

Please help RAAD (Residents Against Ashford Hill Development)

Sigma have appealed to the Planning Inspectorate to overturn Basingstoke and Deane’s refusal of their planning application for 45 houses to be built in the field next to the Antler development and opposite Limewood Farm. Sigma have persuaded the Inspectorate to hold an “Inquiry” as opposed to a “Hearing”. An Inquiry is a judicial process held in a court environment with barristers representing all sides. Basingstoke will be arguing their case for refusal through their barristers but these are not permitted to act on our behalf as well. As many of you will know, the village faced two prospective developments a couple of years ago; one next to the Holt Cottages for 36 houses and secondly, the Sigma development. Both were turned down by Basingstoke and both went to appeal. The village raised substantial objections, mainly through a community group named RAAD – Residents of Ashford Hill Against Development – and were represented by a professional Planning Consultant, Mike de Courcy. The first of the appeals dealing with the Holt Cottages development was heard in Basingstoke, and despite a rather weak performance by Basingstoke but a very strong case by RAAD, the Inspectorate refused the Appeal in very robust terms; so much so, that Sigma withdrew their appeal almost immediately. But last year, they applied again making very few changes to their previous application. This was turned down by Basingstoke and now Sigma have appealed again. We believe the Inspector’s reasons for refusing the Holt Cottages appeal still apply to this latest Sigma development proposal. What are we to do this time around? There were over a hundred objections to Sigma’s 2nd application, and these will all still be valid and will be considered by the Inspector. However, those of us who have led the charge for RAAD have all agreed that we cannot afford to be represented at the Inquiry by a barrister. (The Inquiry is scheduled to last for 6 days and the cost of having legal representation will be several tens of thousands of pounds.) So, we have decided to employ Mike de Courcy again and he will be submitting our arguments to the Inspector. By doing this, we will have the opportunity to present our case in person.

We are therefore fundraising again. Please donate to fund our planning consultant's fees. Any donation, however big or small, will be a huge help.

Thank you

Melissa Tayabali, Patrick Taylor, Ken Rhatigan, Peter Cunningham