"ONE thousand years of history written off at a stroke" was the warning from campaigners in response to plans for the development of Odiham deer park.

The ancient deer park between Odiham and North Warnborough was the subject of plans lodged in August for the revitalisation of the local green space - however residents opposing the development have reacted angrily.

The plans have come under fire in particularly from Save the Park Action Group (SPAG), led by Hugh Sheppard, who has warned: “We believe that any such development would destroy the character of this designated Conservation Area of 100 acres of open countryside on the doorstep of Odiham and North Warnborough; the last part of the former Royal Deer Park to be unchanged for centuries.

“This green lung that defines and separates our villages has retained the same field pattern as that mapped by Will Godson in 1739.”

The owner of the land for 15 years, Richard Revell, using Hook-based chartered town planners Bell Cornwell, hopes to build a lodge in the park, along with seven large parkland houses on the edge of the site.

There are also plans for overhead wires to be moved below ground, a managed deer herd to be introduced, a new community building, events field, cycleways, park fencing, a deer shelter and restoration of historic fishponds, along with new landscaping and tree planting.

Odiham, known for its history with King John and his journey to Windsor from Odiham Castle to ratify the Magna Carta, has heritage dating back to a time before the 800-year-old battle.

Mr Shepperd continued: “The 550-acre royal hunting ground saw little change over the next 500 years.

“Then, in the 17th century, the deer park was deforested for agriculture; in the 18th the Basingstoke Canal divided it into two; in the 19th most of the former Great Park became Lodge Farm and in the 20th the Odiham by-pass put a concrete divide right across it.

“Yet throughout, the former Little Park, Mr Revell’s 100 acres, with its fishponds, fields and footpaths survived, almost unchanged.

“That is until now, the 21st century.”

He also noted that Odiham’s Neighbourhood Plan, prepared by local residents and submitted to Hart District Council only a matter of weeks ago, makes no mention of housing in the deer park.

“On the contrary the plan recommends that this area should be retained as a Local Green Space, a designation that aims to safeguard the open spaces which the community identifies as of special importance,” he stated.

SPAG also highlighted how English Heritage said the deer park is recognised for its “strong local impact and high historic significance.”

Mr Shepperd also made the point that previous submittals had already been rejected by residents in the area. “During the very first Neighbourhood Plan consultation of January 2015, the Basingstoke Canal and the deer park were rated the two most valued green spaces of the parish; both already enjoying significant levels of National and Local Plan protection.

“Later, after Mr Revell’s ‘vision’ for a similar proposal had been put to Odiham Parish Council and the community, two-thirds of respondents said they were not open to such a proposal.”

The final damning line from the campaigners said: “Links to the past are important; once lost they cannot be re-created “Re-development, however well-intentioned, would write-off 1,000 years of history at a stroke.”

The application has now been validated by Hart District Council and talks with the local planning group, Odiham Parish Council and planners Bell Cornwell will now continue.