PROPOSALS to build a massive housing development in Whitchurch are 'flawed and unjustified', a councillor has said.

More than 300 residents attended a consultation on Thursday, November 17 at the Parish Hall to discuss GENKO's proposals to build 115 homes in Bere Hill.

Other proposals include a new car park and improvements for the train station to ease travelling in the direction of London. The car park will include a community hub/café.

On the site south of London Road, west of The Gables and east of Hillside, it is also proposing to build five executive houses.

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Cllr Chloe Ashfield has spoken on multiple occasions expressing her views against GENKO's proposals.

She said: "The GENKO consultation was really well attended where residents asked questions and scrutinised their proposals. We are now looking ahead for their proposal to be formally proposed. But their plans appear to be flawed, unjustified and cynical. Particularly the proposed 150-space car park in an area of outstanding, natural beauty."

A campaign was launched in April 2021 by founder Lucie Follett-Maitland of Whitchurch Conservation Group (WCG) to halt construction in areas located north of Whitchurch railway station, by Bere Mill and on The Gables adjacent to the Mill trail.

A spokesperson for WCG said: "The exhibition was inaccurate and misleading, demonstrating no need or benefit for Whitchurch which is not already planned.

"The only beneficiaries in the scheme are the offshore landowners living elsewhere in the North Wessex Downs AONB who seek to desecrate the parts of the AONB that aren’t on their own doorstep."

Meanwhile, GENKO said it has received a wide variety of useful feedback from the event leading up to the end of the consultation period, which ended on December 1. 

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A spokesperson added: “We believe that these three sites in North Whitchurch can deliver much-needed homes, improved facilities for the railway station and other benefits for the community. We believe that the plans for new homes, including a significant amount of good quality affordable housing, will help to address the significant need for housing identified by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council that exists both in Whitchurch and across the borough. We are also proposing a new pub for the site and are keen to hear the views of local residents."

The plans have not been submitted and are just in the proposal stage.

To view GENKO's proposals go to northwhitchurch.co.uk or call 0800 689 5209 if you can't get online.