A MAJOR opponent of a plan to build a controversial new town at Winchfield said he was delighted after he won a seat on Hart District Council following Thursday’s local election.

Conservative candidate Andrew Renshaw has been elected as one of the two candidates for the Hartley Wintney ward on Hart District Council, along with Tory colleague Anne Crampton.

Andrew Renshaw received 2,941 votes and Anne Crampton got 2,731 votes, followed by Liberal Democrats’ Tony Over with 1,128 votes and Alan Woolford with 1,090 votes. UKIP candidate Altay Ali came in fifth place with 569 votes.

Mr Renshaw said: “I am delighted to be given this opportunity to get closer to the decision-making process.

“This was a wonderful result for Winchfield. Anne and I have been given a clear mandate to continue to fight against Barratt New Town. We received great support in Hartley Wintney as well of course in Winchfield.

“I am looking forward to serving the whole ward where I am well aware that everyone faces the same issues over development.”He added: “The answer is simple. Take the new settlement idea out of the Local Plan.”

As part of the other nine seats up for grabs on Hart District Council, Conservative candidate Stephen Gorys retained his Odiham ward with 3,198 votes, compared to 816 votes for Liberal Democrats candidate Rosalyn Gordon and 618 votes for UKIP contender Kevin Oliver.

Tory candidate Brian Burchfield also retained his grip over the Hook ward after he received 3,001 votes compared to the 648 votes for his nearest challenger, Labour’s Verd Nabbs.

The election night means that the Conservatives are still the single largest party with 16 seats, followed by the Liberal Democrats and Community Campaign Hart with eight seats each and there is one Independent.

Talks are ongoing to see how the council would be run with no single party, or group, in overall control.