ELECTION candidates talked about rubbish and the threat of major developments at a special hustings meeting.

Organised by activists from Save Our Loddon Valley Environment (SOLVE), the event, at Chineham Village Hall, was a chance for residents to quiz Chineham ward candidates standing for election to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

Martin Biermann, an independent candidate, and John Downes, Conservative, were on the platform facing a small number of electors.

But the shortage of guests did not prevent a heated debate.

Councillor Biermann, who is seeking re-election, hit back at claims in Conservative party leaflets that he supports the idea of alternate-week bin collections, a system of refuse collection that has been rejected by the borough council.

He said: “They have put words in my mouth. There’s an implication in all the publications that I’m promoting alternate-week bin collections.”

He said the borough council should have thoroughly looked at everything, adding: “That hasn’t happened. Alternate-week collections were ruled out from the start.”

Mr Downes responded: “The implication that we are trying to bully him is outrageous.”

SOLVE is against plans for up to 9,000 homes to be built in the Loddon Valley and Old Basing, and was keen for candidates to share their opinions on the issue.

Cllr Biermann said housing would have to be provided so it was better to plan and have more say than have developments imposed by Government.

Mr Downes said he was opposed to all major developments, but he backed small-scale housing provision.

Terry Thornhill, from Old Basing, accused the borough council Conservative administration of making money on the Manydown estate to the west of the town, which was bought in 1996 for development but remains undeveloped.

Mr Downes said he was not aware of any such cash flow.

Cllr Biermann urged voters to choose him in the May 5 elections because: “I think it’s useful to have someone who is not part of a clique or group but someone who can put forward an alternative view”.

Asked what the candidates had achieved in the community, Mr Downes said he had tackled anti-social behaviour and the dumping of shopping trolleys.

Cllr Biermann said he helped save £1million of funding for use in Chineham.

There was uproar from the audience when Mr Downes, in his closing speech, accused Cllr Biermann of siding with the Labour Party in every council vote.

Cllr Biermann said he had voted for both Labour and Conservative motions.

Mr Downes said he believes the three Chineham ward councillors should be from the same party.

He said: “I believe it’s better to have three people pulling in one direction.”

Clive Pinder, who chaired the meeting for SOLVE, also read out a prepared speech from Labour candidate Simon Broad, who was unable to attend.