NEW council housing could be built in a village on a site residents recently campaigned to save.

The city council is considering whether to bring land off Hookpit Farm Lane in Kings Worthy, known locally as Top Field, into public ownership to “secure its future”.

A packed public consultation saw information boards displayed which suggested uses for the area, currently owned by developer Drew Smith.

The boards asked whether it could be used for “a unique opportunity for local leadership, putting local people, councillors, the parish council at the heart of this future”, council housing with priority for local people, public-owned open space or community facilities.

The parish council recently voted to support building off Lovedon Lane as part of Local Plan Part Two, rejecting ideas for Top Field.

Some residents are now angry about the council’s potential plans, calling it a “back door” development.

Karen McCleery, vice-chair of the Top Field Action Group which campaigned against a previous planning application for 57 homes there, said she ‘got the impression the council did not want to hear residents’ views’.

“There were a lot of very angry people there,” she said.

Winchester has St Catherine’s Hill and no one would dream of building there, why can’t Top Field in Kings Worthy be something similar? We are short of open space.”

Hampshire Chronicle:

Council houses could be built on Hookpit Farm Lane, known as Top Field

A council spokesman said there is currently a need for 115 council houses for people with a local connection to Kings Worthy, but it is not known how many houses could be built if the ideas go ahead.

“That will be based on a detailed analysis of site opportunities and constraints,” he said.

“The city council listened to views on the preferred site for LPP2, hence Lovedon. We will listen to views about Hookpit.”

The land is deemed a rural exception site, which means without public support it cannot go ahead.

When the Chronicle asked housing portfolio holder Cllr Steve Miller how public support is measured, he said he did not know.

He added: “After the public consultation we will look at the comments and if there’s a desire to go ahead we will talk to Drew Smith to see if there’s an opportunity to come up with something that meets residents and Drew Smith’s wishes.

“We are consulting the public to see how they feel. If the public don’t want it, it won’t happen.

“There are a lot of people that want social housing.”

Hampshire Chronicle:

Residents discussed the plans with officials from the council and landowner Drew Smith Homes

Kings Worthy Parish Council vice-chairman Martin Taylor said the consultation was well-attended by a “wide selection” of residents and the council is not changing its stance.

“The parish council had considered that site as part of local plan part two and we didn’t choose it and at the moment that remains our position,” he said. “When Drew Smith had put in an application the parish council’s planning committee unanimously decided to object.”

Drew Smith director Phil Farminer said the company has presented the council “the opportunity to secure the site for some new housing and wider community benefits.”

He said: “Drew Smith is pleased that Winchester City Council is discussing the proposal with local people and that it is listening to their views in relation to the needs and aspirations of the local community.”

The city council is asking for feedback via an online questionnaire. The closing date is March 9.