THE GAZETTE’S petition for Basingstoke Town Community Football Club to have their own stadium built, and that Winklebury is not a long-term solution, has reached its target of 1,000 signatures.

It comes as the council is set to meet tonight to discuss the club’s situation, amongst other items.

This newspaper launched its campaign two weeks ago for the club to get a like-for-like replacement to the Camrose ground built.

It also campaigned that any development on the Camrose is morally wrong, following the discovery of a decades-old covenant placed on the stadium, protecting the site as a sports stadium until 2053.

The petition reads: “Legally it is remains unclear whether this discovery could prevent Basron, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and the landowner from building houses and a road on the site.

“Though morally, the answer is crystal clear. If a kind-hearted, former resident of the town gave this land to the community for this purpose, then surely the wishes of a now-deceased man must be respected at all costs. To go against his desires, would be morally reprehensible.”

It comes as councillors are set to discuss the club at tomorrow night’s full council meting.

All 60 Basingstoke and Deane Borough councillors are due to attend, where the agenda reveals a number of questions from the public to their elected representatives on the situation at the football club.

There will also be a motion moved by Cllr Mark Taylor (Lab, Brighton Hill North) and seconded by Cllr Ruth Cooper (Lab, Winklebury) calling on the cabinet to expedite the release of funds to allow Winklebury to be redeveloped to level D standard, which would allow them to move back into the town for next season.

It also says that a report should be produced to the Community, Environment and Partnerships Committee on how the council can support the club achieving a level C standard stadium - the same as what they had at the Camrose.

The council’s budget and response to the climate emergency will also be discussed.