The online petition, launched in May, opposes the proposed destruction of land at Down Grange to create a new pitch and putt golf course.
The facility would replace the current golf course at the Leisure Park, which would be lost when entertainment company Great Wolf builds a water park on the land.
The petition has obtained 4,511 signatures in three months.
The controversial proposals for Down Grange have been met with criticism, with the petition organiser, Claire Harrison, calling it a “massive bite,” out of our “remaining wildlife spaces in Basingstoke.”
Leigh Henderson, chair of Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics Club (BMHAC), backed the petition and was happy to hear it has reached a milestone.
He said: “BMHAC is delighted that over 4,000 people have signed the Change.org petition opposing the proposed replacement of the parkland at Down Grange with a pitch and putt golf course. We hope that many more will sign.
“Alongside the petition, the Down Grange Contact Group is gathering as much objective evidence concerning the change in use as possible to present to the council in due course.
“We would still love to have individual stories about how people have used Down Grange. Please send them to clubsecbmhac@gmail.com.”
The proposals for the site are to build a golf centre, complete with pitch and putt, pods and car parks on the land which is currently a greenfield site.
Claire continued: “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.
“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.”
The milestone for the petition comes as local leaders meet with the sporting community to continue talks.
Kevin Laing, chair of Basingstoke Voluntary Sports Council (BVSC), raised concerns about where the entrance to the proposed golf centre will be.
He said: “If it’s off Pack Lane, it would cause serious issues at the weekend.”
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council‘s (BDBC) cabinet member for sports, leisure and culture, Cllr Kerry Morrow, said that talks are still in progress with the town’s sporting community ahead of a formal planning application.
He added: “Our officers provided an update on our work to develop proposals for the reprovision of golf facilities, as part of our wider support for grassroots sports in the borough, for the chair of Basingstoke Voluntary Sports Council.
“We are using feedback from clubs and other users of Down Grange to shape our ongoing investigation work. The views of the community are also incredibly important to us, and once we have progressed design work, we will be sharing more information and asking for feedback on our proposals in September, before a planning application could be submitted.”
Cllr Morrow addressed the concerns raised in the petition and ensured that BDBC would protect trees, plants and habitats in the area.
He continued: “We understand the concerns around the protection of biodiversity at Down Grange. As part of our detailed investigation work, we are carrying out detailed surveys to fully understand the diversity of flora and fauna on site.
“As part of our commitment to supporting our environment, we would protect established trees, plants and habitats and explore wider improvements to enhance the open space to deliver a 10 per cent increase in the biodiversity value of the land.
“This would also be independently assessed as part of any future planning application.”