THE fight starts here.

That was the message from campaigners who are battling a controversial housing appeal for hundreds of homes on the edge of Winchester.

As reported, Lindon Homes are appealing a previously refused scheme to build 350 homes on the south-western edge of the city at Vale Farm.

The scheme had been rejected by the Winchester City Council planning committee last July because it breached policies, as there are enough designated sites, including Barton Farm.

This the main argument that will be used by the council and objectors at a future planning enquiry - which is likely to be in the Autumn.

More than 40 residents and representatives from parish councils opposed to the scheme gathered at Badger Farm Community Centre to discuss the next steps.

At the meeting they were talked through what is likely to happen at the planning enquiry by head of strategic planning at Winchester City Council Steve Opacic.

He explained that the council is in a "strong" position, as it already has a local plan, that has been approved by a government inspector, and it will be adopted in April.

The plan sets out where housing in the Winchester district will go.

However, he said a developer is likely to argue that the council needs to prove it has "adequate" housing supply for the next five years.

There will be three public enquiries, that will be argued along the same grounds, these include one for 90 homes in Otterbourne, one for homes in Colden Common and Vale Farm.

Mr Opacic said: "The starting point for all appeals should be in the development plan, the starting point point is what is in your local plan and is it up to date, we have one and it is up to date.

"They have to show that the local plan is wrong or does not comply with government guidance. They will try and argue that despite having a local plan they will argue we have not got a five year supply of land.

"That will be the big issue for all three of these appeals, the difference of that is that we start off from a strong position."

Chairing the meeting was Badger Farm and Olivers Battery ward councillor Eleanor Bell.

Cllr Bell said:"It is not nimby, it is not against housing where there is housing it has to be planned and there is a plan for 20 years and this is not in it."

She described the application by Linden Homes as "opportunistic", and called for residents to write to the planning inspector about their feelings about the appeal and why they believe it is not suitable.

The deadline for comments is on March 29.