Basingstoke MP, Maria Miller’s campaign to have Old Down designated as a Local Nature Reserve has reached a key stage, with the submission of her petition at the most recent full meeting of the Borough Council.
Maria said: “I want to thank the residents of Basingstoke for their overwhelming support for this campaign. We had a fantastic total of over 2,000 signatures (from eligible residents). This clearly demonstrates the value to Basingstoke’s people of Old Down and I know this strength of support will be seriously considered by the Council. It is so important that local residents engage with the democratic process in this way to impress upon elected representatives the issues that matter to them most. Old Down is integral to the health and quality of life of the local community, and much loved by those who use it. I strongly believe that the best way to protect this is with the Local Nature Reserve, and that sentiment is obviously shared by many in the Borough.
“I have followed up the submission with a letter to the Council’s Cabinet Member for the Natural Environment and Climate Improvement, in order to press for a formal response to the petition. Now that the petition has been presented, I understand that key supporter of the campaign, Cllr Samir Kotecha, will also be submitting a motion to discuss the matter further at the next Council meeting, so as to maintain the strong momentum we have built up.”
The petition was presented to the Council by local campaigner, Mrs Sarah Mutton (pictured), who spoke eloquently about the value of Old Down to her and her family, and to the wider Basingstoke community. The full text of Mrs Mutton’s speech can be read below:
"Thank you Madam Mayor and the whole Chamber,
I am hear to formally submit for your consideration a petition, on behalf of 2,091 signatories, that ‘We, the undersigned, want Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to take all the steps necessary to designate Old Down as a Local Nature Reserve.’
Old Down is integral to the health and quality of life of the local community and supports and enhances natural and ecological wildlife habitats. Hundreds of people use it everyday to rest, relax and exercise, and therefore Old Down should be properly preserved and managed for the benefit of the community. It is also an important site for local wildlife and all the woodland and grassland is already classed as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation. Specifically, we believe it is really important Old Down is designated as a Local Nature Reserve, and not just green space, because of the need to actively manage the land reliably and consistently to a high ecological standard in the interests of wildlife and people.
As a mum who’s child attends Shooting Stars Nursery, on the edge of Old Down, I know first hand how valuable and valued this green space is. Being able to access nature on their doorstep is so important for children’s development. It would be a tragedy for the Nursery to be surrounded instead by buildings, rather than the beautiful back garden they have now, which they love. It is vitally important to preserve this green space for our children, not just for their immediate use, but also for their future, and for generations to come.
I understand that in 2013, a petition was raised by residents seeking to declare both Beggarwood Park and Old Down as Local Nature Reserves. Subsequently the council adopted a priority list, and as part of this process, Beggarwood Park was declared as a Local Nature Reserve. However, as set out in a report at the time, due to potential issues relating to the development of Manydown, Old Down was excluded.
The emerging plan for the South West of Basingstoke shows entry points to Manydown through Hounsome Fields development and land closer to M3 Junction 7, removing the need for access through Old Down. Thus the impediment to declaring Old Down a Local Nature Reserve has gone, and there is no reason why the Council cannot now update its status to where it would otherwise have been in 2013.
The last two years have undoubtedly made us appreciate more the importance of outdoor activity and access to green space, both for our physical and mental health. Let us take this opportunity, at a time when we fundamentally re-evaluate what matters most to us, and build on that momentum for change and improvement. We must take steps now to ensure that this land, which is essential to the wellbeing of the people of Basingstoke, is properly protected for the future."