DESPITE a plea from taxi drivers, Basingstoke council's Cabinet has backed a bid to grant 15 new licences in the borough - followed by a further seven six months later and seven more six months after that.

The plan - coupled with a proposal for seven new ranks around the town - will go to the licensing committee on June 10, with a recommendation put to the full council at its meeting on June 17.

Chairman of Basingstoke Hackney Carriage Federation, Terry Cooper, said that a survey 15 months ago had revealed a need for only nine more licences.

"Judging by the taxi business, Festival Place is not a success story yet," he told Cabinet members. "Nine more licences would have a limited effect on the trade - but 15 would be catastrophic.

"I challenge you to order another survey of taxi needs. The travelling public of Basingstoke deserve better than pure guesswork.

"If your decision is for anything other than nine extra licences, get expert opinion first."

Mr Cooper said the only place he felt an extra rank was needed was outside Liquid nightclub.

Tory councillor Phil Heath said he was concerned that the Cabinet's suggestion meant the decision on taxis had already been made and nothing could be done about it.

"There is a need for nine new licences at this time and members of the Hackney trade have said they are willing to talk about other licences being issued - but not delimitation," he added.

"Your suggestion is that everyone who wants a licence will get one. That is delimiting by another route. I urge you to stick to the recommendation for nine new licences."

Council leader Rob Donnelly said he understood the concerns of the taxi trade, but was aware that Basingstoke had only 49 regulated Hackney carriage licences and more than 200 unregulated private hire drivers, and he wanted to help the people who queue for cabs.

"I would like to see more cabs on the streets," he explained.

"I think part of the way of achieving that is to make more provision for a successful black cab trade in Basingstoke.

"We have to accept that, because of the traffic position, this is not a traditional town where you can just walk out on the street and hail a cab - so we need more ranks."

Cllr Donnelly said the Cabinet did not have the power to make a decision over extra cab licences, as the final decision must be taken by the full council.