BDBC feedback form can be accessed here: https://online1.snapsurveys.com/Interview/5fbafb5b-583a-45bb-9c61-f12612694012 

The purpose of this petition is to raise awareness of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's plans to destroy the peaceful gem that is Down Grange Park to relocate the Golf Centre, which they claim needs to be moved as part of the Great Wolf Development.

This beautiful, serenely quiet space is home to biodiverse land and wildlife habitats, which would be marginalized should the Council's plans go ahead. Our struggling wildlife needs these established, mature pockets and corridors of habitat to survive.

Further impacts of this development, if it goes ahead, would be loss of access, in various ways, to the thousands of people who use this space unencumbered every year, from sports clubs, Brownies, Rainbows, cyclists, members of the public enjoying the peace and serenity of the space, and dog walkers.

To know Down Grange Park is to love it; it is one of the most beautiful, peaceful spots in Basingstoke. It is an essential place that supports well-being and good mental health for everyone who uses it. As we continue to lose our peaceful, calming green spaces, we need to fight for the ones we have left.

Background - This has come about because Great Wolf, an American company, has been given the go-ahead to develop at the leisure park, resulting in the demolition of the current Golf Centre.

Following a decision voted on by B&DBC Council Cabinet, in January 2025, Down Grange Park was agreed to be the preferred site on which to reprovision the Golf Centre. 

You can find details on the Council's website below.

https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/water-park-proposal
https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/golf-centre-future

….

As a passionate nature lover, both local and global, I am dismayed that this beautiful haven of Down Grange land in Basingstoke is threatened by proposed developments.

The investigation of this site to build a Golf Centre, complete with pitch and putt pods and car parks, risks devastating this cherished green space. This land provides sanctuary not just for us, who use it for tranquil walks, various sporting activities, and to generally escape from the stresses of modern urban life, but importantly for the countless species of wildlife and diverse plant life that call it home.

Down Grange is a rare gem in Basingstoke, a breathing spot where humans and nature coexist. The proposed development will disrupt the fragile balance of this ecosystem. The habitats of various animals, and a myriad of bird species stand to be destroyed, their daily existence shattered by construction and increased human activity. The plants and trees that flourish here, forming intricate networks of life, will be uprooted, leading to a loss of biodiversity that is detrimental not just locally but environmentally.

It's crucial that we weigh the costs of such development against its benefits. Yes, recreational facilities like golf centres offer entertainment, but not at the cost of irreplaceable natural landscapes. In protecting Down Grange, we preserve not only the current beauty and ecological importance of the area but also safeguard it for future generations who deserve to experience the joy of nature’s untouched magnificence.

Our green spaces are shrinking and the leading cause, globally, of species endangerment and loss of biodiversity is habitat destruction. We know that insect species are declining with many on the red list due to the impact of habitat destruction. We also know that insects of all kinds are a critical part of our delicate eco systems supporting other important local species like butterflies, song birds, Red Kites, Woodpeckers, Hedgehogs to name only a few.

This is not about being a NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard). It's about decision makers prioritising nature, and the health and wellbeing of Basingstoke residents when reviewing and approving plans. 

B& DBC should be factoring the protection of nature and green spaces into our development plans, not just doing the bare minimum.

All the people who are being provided for by the extensive redevelopment happening in the town need somewhere beautiful to spend their time. Otherwise Basingstoke will be a soulless, miserable place.

We must voice our opposition and urge local authorities to consider alternative locations for such developments that do not compromise essential natural habitats.

Join me in standing against this proposal to ensure that Down Grange remains a sanctuary for both the people and wildlife of Basingstoke.

Sign this petition to show your support in protecting one of our town’s most valuable natural treasures.

Once it's gone, it's gone for good!