Neighbouring areas also saw small population rises: Test Valley rose by 0.39 per cent to 135,698, Hart grew 0.30 per cent to 103,335, and Winchester grew 0.72 per cent, from 135,444 to 136,856 — slightly faster than Basingstoke and Deane. Leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Cllr Paul Harvey, said: "The population estimates recently published by the Office for National Statistics show that Basingstoke and Deane’s population has increased by a small percentage, less than one per cent. “We all know that we need major investment in key infrastructure such as water, GPs and schools. The pressure on our existing population must be recognised by the government. What these figures underline is how important it is that we fight for that investment so that decisions made on housing and facilities put infrastructure first."