A BID for city status could be on the cards for Basingstoke if the town continues to go from strength to strength.

The interesting prospect was raised during a presentation at The ARK, at Basingstoke hospital.

Glyn Williams, head of policy and partnerships at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, gave a personal view on "Basingstoke and its Future" at the sixth annual community lecture organised by Basingstoke Deane Rotary Club.

At the end of the lecture, which was attended by representatives of local businesses and organisations including borough mayor Cllr Gwen Richardson, Mr Williams answered questions from the audience - and one focused on whether Basingstoke was in a position to move for city status.

Mr Williams said: "We have not, in the past, applied for city status, but when you look at how our borough is developing, it could come to that.

"We have a fairly strong community and a proud community, plus a range of services and a built, and natural, environment that is very good.

"City status makes sense, you could say. But it has not formally been looked at in the past."

Mr Williams, who said he was speaking as a resident of Basingstoke for more than 20 years rather than as a representative of the borough council, told the audience how the area had grown and developed beyond recognition since he moved south.

He said: "Twenty years ago, I came to 'somewhere south of Reading'. Today, I am proud to be part of something I think of as quite special. I think there is a real pride in our place."

Referring to the fact that continued progress will need the help of all sections of the community, Mr Williams said: "We need elected members, local businesses, educationalists, housing providers, health services, faith groups, crime and disorder organisations and our local communities to be part of that process - to establish Basingstoke and the borough as a regional gem."

Mr Williams told the audience that the borough is in line for significant growth in terms of housing in the near future, under the South East Plan for 2006 to 2026.

He said: "The draft plan is identifying Basingstoke as a potential growth area due to our existing levels of growth, our role as a transport hub in the region, our location in the strategic corridor, our economic potential and the existing infrastructure.

"This growth could be an additional 10,000 homes over 25 years in addition to the 1,100 per annum already required."

Mr Williams envisages the future will see new businesses and expansion in the area, better public transport and health facilities, and improved opportunities for learning and skills.

The draft plan will undergo a consultation period from January to March 2005, and Mr Williams urged everyone to get involved in the process.

He said: "We have a choice, whether we choose to influence what happens to our borough or let others dictate and benefit from our inability or reluctance to take the lead.

"This is not the task of just the council - this is a task we all face if real success in building a sustainable community is to be achieved."

Do you have a view on the way ahead for the town and borough of Basingstoke? Do you think Basingstoke should become a city? Send your views to The Letters Editor, Gazette Newspapers, Gazette House, Pelton Road, Basingstoke, RG21 6YD or e-mail editor@basingstokegazette.co.uk