PLANS that will see Basingstoke Golf Club redeveloped and 1,000 homes built have been given the green light.

The site, which is directly opposite the already approved Hounsome Field site, is part of the Local Plan and the borough's five-year land supply.

As well as the homes, a new local centre, including shops, community facilities and a day nursery, will be constructed, alongside sports facilities and a number of gypsy and traveller pitches.

Bloor Homes submitted plans for the site last year, after a public consultation that drew much criticism.

The allocation of the gypsy and traveller pitches had been controversial, with many residents objecting based on this.

However, Cllr Hannah Golding, ward councillor for Oakley and North Waltham, said she was pleased that it had been relocated closer to local amenities - although the actual siting will be confirmed at the reserved matters stage.

And her support was echoed by council leader Cllr Ken Rhatigan, who said that the application was "unsupportable" when it first came in 15 months ago.

The keen golfer, who had played on Basingstoke Golf Course many times, said: "Fortunately, over the last year and a half, the wider public have had their say to make sure that what comes before you is approvable.

"This is a highly sustainable site with clear walking and cycling routes to connect the community to the wider area."

Following the full council's resolution last week, which called for a document to be prepared that would allow them to refuse applications that didn't take the climate emergency into account, the developers said they would work with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to see what measures they could put in place.

And whilst the inclusion of an at-grade traffic light crossing as the main form of access from the estate to the new school was a topic of concern, as was the increase in traffic on the A30 corridor, the motion to grant outline planning approval was agreed unanimously.

The developer will now work on more detailed plans, which will have to convince officers to grant full planning permission.