- Basingstoke & Mid Hants Athletic Club

This is BMHAC’s response to the proposed golf development at Down Grange. We’re focused on ensuring fair use of shared sports space and representing the interests of our athletes, members, and the wider community.

Basingstoke & Mid Hants Athletic Club (BMHAC) is very concerned about the proposed pitch and putt course in front of Down Grange House. We share the local community’s concerns, including those of our members.

We note the Council’s statement that:

‘Proposals would include a six-hole pitch and putt course which could operate as a 12-hole course with dual tees on land south of Down Grange House, as well as space for an adventure golf course and golf-pod style driving range. The proposed location would avoid the need to use any of the area currently used by other clubs at Down Grange Sports Complex and protects the natural landscape of this area at Down Grange.

However, we are also intending to reserve space at Basingstoke Leisure Park to provide an alternative location for the adventure golf course and golf-pod style driving range facilities, should it prove a better option to run these facilities from this location rather than Down Grange. This will be better understood once further detailed work is undertaken.’ https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/golf-centre-future

BMHAC met with Cllr Kerry Morrow and Cllr Gavin James on 30th April to discuss the current use of Down Grange. Cllr Morrow stressed his intention to listen and mentioned that the proposals were in very early stages but that the course would only take part of the area concerned.

Formal consultation will happen once a planning application is submitted.

BMHAC will prepare a comprehensive assessment of the usage of the area in front of Down Grange House, currently known as the Miller and Carter restaurant. The Club will collaborate with its partner clubs at Down Grange to provide the Council with all relevant information, aiming to maintain the established use of Down Grange.

Nevertheless, we are committed to working with the Council to reach a satisfactory outcome and wish to place on record our appreciation for the Council’s consistent provision of the high standards of facilities at the Down Grange track.

Leigh Henderson

Chair

BMHAC

Statement HERE

Basingstoke & Mid Hants Athletic Club

3 days ago

🖤💛❤️Athletes out and about on Down Grange earlier today from Basingstoke & Mid Hants Athletic Club 🎽 Among them we have a number of national and international competitors:🎽Andrew Waddington: British Indoor Pentathlon, 1st M60; World Icosathlon Championship, 1st M60🎽Margaret Moody: Run cross country for England about 6 times; World Masters Marathon champion for GB, where they got team gold; Road championship 10k home international - twice; Holds the Basingstoke parkrun age grade record🎽Don Powell: Run cross country for England twice; International 10k for England World Mountain running championship for GB; Current Welsh Championship mid/short distance V70 champion plus 1st in various championships in South Wales/all Wales leagues for V70; World Masters Marathon champs for GB, where we got team gold and Don got the silverThis is just a snapshot of the athletes in Basingstoke too 🥳 #DownGrange #DownGrangeBasingstoke ... See MoreSee Less

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Basingstoke & Mid Hants Athletic Club

3 days ago

☕️ Thank You from the Refreshment Team! 🍰We just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who’s supported us since April, whether you’ve baked a cake, bought a cuppa, or popped by for a chat on training nights. ❤️Over the past six months, we’ve been open for nine competitions, and thanks to your generosity and amazing support, we’ve now reached an incredible £3,000 profit! 🎉Every penny goes straight back into helping the club, and we couldn’t be more grateful for our wonderful BMHAC community. 🙏Here’s to more cakes, cuppas, and good company! ☕️🍰#BMHAC #AthleticsFamily #ThankYou #CommunitySupport #TeamBMHAC #ClubSpirit #Grateful ... See MoreSee Less

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Basingstoke & Mid Hants Athletic Club

4 days ago

BMHAC family, we’re grateful to everyone who’s continued to support our Down Grange Community community as discussions continue around the golf centre proposal.Let’s keep raising awareness and working together in the hope the golf facilities find a more suitable location. ❤️🖤💛On Thursday evening the Council will vote on a motion to review the whole golf centre proposal, which we hope will result in the change of location from Down Grange. If you can't be there but want to add your voice:🗨 Contact your Councillor(s) to express your thoughts and ask them to represent those during the meeting (find out who they are here: Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council share.google/BVB7jj8uvDeP2qFLU)📧 Send an email to GolfCentreRelocation@basingstoke.gov.uk (cc us - Downgrangecommunity@gmail.com - so we can see), which will go to the project team and you can share your concerns directly with them❓️Consider submitting a question for the Council meeting, whether in person or for the Mayor to pose on your behalf (more info here: www.basingstoke.gov.uk/participation#chapter89730)Thanks for everyone's support so far, here's hoping the golf facilities find a better home! ... See MoreSee Less

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Basingstoke & Mid Hants Athletic Club

5 days ago

Huge congratulations to Jack Hedderly! 👏Jack ran his first ever half marathon today in Manchester, finishing in an impressive 1:21:17.Jack took on the challenge as a Puma-sponsored athlete and Up & Running team member, what an incredible debut! 🏃‍♂️💪Massive well done to everyone who took part in the Manchester Half today! 🙌#BMHAC #HalfMarathon #ManchesterHalf #TeamBMHAC #PumaRunning #UpAndRunning ... See MoreSee Less

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