A BID to build 500 houses near Winchfield railway station is not “finding much favour” with planners, a meeting heard.

Planning officers at Hart District Council are currently drawing up their Local Development Framework – a blueprint for potential building sites until 2026.

One of the sites to be considered is farmland between Station Road in Winchfield and the M3 motorway. Developer Barratt Homes has options on the land to build between 500 and 1,500 homes.

Councillor Ken Crookes, leader of Hart District Council, spoke at the Winchfield Annual Parish Assembly.

He said: “The planning team have looked at some of the site and while it is by no means final, it does not appear to be a site which is finding much favour, because of sustainability reasons.”

Cllr Crookes added that, under new Government legislation, local authorities can receive a “housing bonus” for approving applications.

Hart is due to receive money as a result of the Dilly Lane housing scheme in Hartley Wintney and the Hitches Lane development in Fleet.

Cllr Andrew Renshaw, chairman of Winchfield Parish Council, said: “It is heartening news from Ken to hear Hart and its planners think the site is not sustainable and is not the answer to Hart’s housing numbers.

“Ten years ago, Barratt made an application on that site. It is still there and will not go away for as long as we are here.”

He told the meeting it would be better to build any homes on Winchfield’s “urban fringe” such as in Hook and Fleet.

A draft version of the district council’s core strategy on the Local Development Framework will go out to consultation in June or July this year, the meeting heard.