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Anyone up for a little story time update on Basingstoke Town FC and the Camrose scandal?
Before I dive in - here is what the Camrose looks like now. It's been left abandoned and unsecured since the club were evicted and made homeless in July 2019, after 66 years at the site.
Before I dive in - here is what the Camrose looks like now. It's been left abandoned and unsecured since the club were evicted and made homeless in July 2019, after 66 years at the site.
Little recap: This ground was gifted to the people of Basingstoke by Lord Camrose in recognition of the suffering they endured during WWII
Camrose was a newspaper magnate + former ed of The Daily Telegraph. He cared about community + many local things have been named after him
Camrose was a newspaper magnate + former ed of The Daily Telegraph. He cared about community + many local things have been named after him
Aware of the levels of post-war development, Camrose placed a covenant on the land to protect it from development until 2053.
Council officers previously claimed it was "lost" however it was quite publicly accessible, as exposed by @RyanBasGazette + Graham in Feb.
Council officers previously claimed it was "lost" however it was quite publicly accessible, as exposed by @RyanBasGazette + Graham in Feb.
Our coverage exposing this appeared to accelerate council action on homeless @Basingstoke_FC, with the authority using money reserved for community pitches to fund upgrades at a much-smaller stadium within the town.
But for fans, this doesn't negate the loss of the Camrose.
But for fans, this doesn't negate the loss of the Camrose.
So where are we now? If you are still with me, thank you!
Next Wednesday marks a historic date as Basron's planning application to build on the Camrose will be presented to @BasingstokeGov's planning committee.
Next Wednesday marks a historic date as Basron's planning application to build on the Camrose will be presented to @BasingstokeGov's planning committee.
But wait, you may wonder, doesn't the covenant matter?
(read original story here: https://bit.ly/3cgURP3 )
(read original story here: https://bit.ly/3cgURP3 )
The case of the covenant is a sad one!
In short, despite Lord Camrose's admirable intentions, the landowner became the freeholder by buying out @Basingstoke_FC fans of their shares, as exposed by @ryanevans.
(story here: https://bit.ly/2ZKxsjF )
In short, despite Lord Camrose's admirable intentions, the landowner became the freeholder by buying out @Basingstoke_FC fans of their shares, as exposed by @ryanevans.
(story here: https://bit.ly/2ZKxsjF )
In documents obtained by @RyanBasGazette, fans received letters stating the club was 'nonviable' and the club owner's financial support would not continue.
Mr Razzak offered to purchase back the shares to ensure fans were not "out of pocket" ...
Mr Razzak offered to purchase back the shares to ensure fans were not "out of pocket" ...
Documents revealed that just 48 days later, Mr Razzak’s firm Basron purchased the freehold for the Camrose ground, on Winchester Road, for £2.4 million plus VAT from the Camrose estate.
This has essentially allowed Basron to ignore the covenant, which they claim is no longer enforceable as they are essentially holding themselves to account now the fans no longer has a stake ..
Sooo *deep breath*
... this means that next week, Basron can confidently bring their planning application to the council's planning committee.
And furthermore, they have won the backing of @BasingstokeGov's planning officer Sue Travit who has recommended the application for approval.
And furthermore, they have won the backing of @BasingstokeGov's planning officer Sue Travit who has recommended the application for approval.
Basingstoke council has its own invested interests in the Camrose development. It owns 29 per cent of the land and wants to buddy up with @hantsconnect to build a road through the ground.
And the worrying thing for @Basingstoke_FC is that there the council is not showing any signs of issuing a section 106 - ordering Basron for build a like-for-like replacement.
This is despite Sport England's previous comments. https://bit.ly/3c7zsHD
This is despite Sport England's previous comments. https://bit.ly/3c7zsHD
The council's comms say Sport England has shifted its position recently and is now placated by the developments at Winklebury.
This turn of events has upset club director Kevin White who says not having a like-for-like stadium set in concrete lets Basron off the hook.
This turn of events has upset club director Kevin White who says not having a like-for-like stadium set in concrete lets Basron off the hook.
In the community, it is fair to say this planning application is *hugely* unpopular
2.5k residents have signed petitions against it
66 have written letters of opposition
While Basingstoke's Maria Miller MP has said a like-for-like facility is a must
2.5k residents have signed petitions against it66 have written letters of oppositionWhile Basingstoke's Maria Miller MP has said a like-for-like facility is a must
As a local newspaper, we've taken a strong position on this to lobby on behalf of the public to keep this much-needed facility.
(Tomorrow's front page)
(Tomorrow's front page)
But ultimately, the future of the Camrose now lies in the hands of 12 councillors who will decide whether to approve or reject plans next week.
We'll keep you posted. Wish the town luck!
Thanks for reading and please do support your local clubs.
#OurTownUnited #Basingstoke
We'll keep you posted. Wish the town luck!
Thanks for reading and please do support your local clubs.
#OurTownUnited #Basingstoke
