THE leader of Hart District Council has resigned over the decision to test Winchfield as a site to build thousands of new homes.

Councillor Ken Crookes handed in his resignation on Friday, a day after failing to gain support for a proposal to remove Winchfield from a preferred housing strategy plan.

His proposal came four hours into the full council meeting on Thursday evening, and was voted down comprehensively.

As reported by The Gazette, a large majority of councillors supported the idea to test the Winchfield site, claiming it could deliver infrastructure improvements, such as a new secondary school, through developer contributions.

Speaking this morning, Cllr Crookes said: “The council has decided to take this particular direction in terms of testing the Winchfield option.

“This is not a direction that I support, so I think it needs a different leader to lead the council in a different direction.

“A new town or settlement in the district might be the right answer but the risk here is that the council is being led by a developer rather than the council taking the lead in investigating a new settlement.”

Cllr Crookes said he had no knowledge of meetings with the potential Winchfield developer Barratt Homes between officers and councillors at Hart, but speculated that some members might have influenced by its recently-released Winchfield Garden Community brochure.

He said he was disappointed to step down from a position he has held for six years, and at the lack of support his proposal received.

The Odiham ward member added: “Some people other than those in Winchfield will think that the new settlement is a good idea because it’s not on their doorstep.

“But a new settlement needs more than a train station, a lot more. Where is the money coming from for this significant level of infrastructure that is needed?

“It does not come from business-as-usual developer contributions. That’s not enough.”

His resignation leaves Cllr Stephen Parker, the current deputy leader, in charge. Cllr Crookes said he intended to remain as Odiham ward councillor for the remaining three years of his term.

Cllr Parker said: "It is with much regret that we acknowledge Ken Crookes' wish to stand down as leader of Hart District Council.

"He has led the council for some six years with considerable distinction."

Daryl Phillips, joint chief executive of Hart District Council, said: "We are saddened that Ken has taken the decision to stand down as leader of the council.

"His aspirations for the council are deep rooted and we will continue to do business as usual and build upon the foundations set in the three year corporate plan."