PLANNING chiefs have reassured campaigners their alternative ideas for Alresford will be considered.

An unofficial plan has been submitted by a group of Alresford residents unhappy at their town council's support for more than 300 homes on farmland off Sun Lane.

Last year the town council voted to support Sun Lane plans but the opposition group wants development spread across the town.

At Winchester City Council's local plan committee meeting on Monday (March 30), Steve Opacic, head of strategic planning, presented a report detailing feedback from residents and groups.

He said that both plans will be considered for the next stage of Local Plan Part Two which will be reported back to the committee on June 1.

“There's still a substantial amount of support for the local plan and/or objection to the alternative plan,” Mr Opacic said.

“What you will have heard officers say at the previous meeting that the local plan isn't a vote about what local people would prefer... All we are trying to do in this report is put the comments together, group them into what they are commenting on and present them to all the key issues and we will do the work and report back at a future meeting.”

Eight speakers, including councillors Margot Power and Ernie Jeffs, voiced various concerns from employment to transport.

Jan Field, chair of the Alresford Society, said she does not support the alternative plans. She said of the eight sites identified five of the landowners have not agreed to development and there would be problems with access.

“Keep the plan on process, Alresford needs the protection of LPP2,” she said.

However Janet Barker, of Windermere Gardens, urged the committee to consider the Alternative Group Plan. She said the ideas drawn up by the town council are unsound, based on flawed consultation and incorrect data.

She warned: “The current plan will radically change Alresford as a hitherto market town.”

The meeting also heard responses for Bishop's Waltham, Denmead and rural villages - all of which were uncontroversial.

Recognition of the comments and further work to be completed by the planning department was agreed.

Committee chairman Cllr Read said: “I would like to thank the members of the public for their interest and hope we can take their concerns in to account as we go in to the next stage.”