CONCERNED residents packed out Old Basing Village Hall to discuss the threat from major developers seeking to build thousands of houses.

More than 250 were at the meeting on Saturday, November 6, which was attended by local councillors, Basingstoke MP Maria Miller and Councillor Rob Golding, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Cabinet member for planning.

It was called in response to plans by developers to build thousands of new homes in the borough.

In particular, Old Basing and Lychpit residents are worried about plans to build up to 9,000 new homes on land east of Old Basing.

The proposals include a large patch of land near Newham Lane, stretching up to Pyotts Hill.

The sites may be approved by the borough next year as part of the continuing process of deciding where house-building should take place in the years to 2026.

Clive Pinder, of the Save Our Loddon Valley Environment (SOLVE) group, said: “The audience felt priority should be given to internal and local demand for housing rather than development to support migration to the area from outside the borough.

“It was clear from the response of the audience, and the support of the MP and local councillors, that there should be no large-scale housing development that threatens the environment and bio-diversity of the Loddon Valley.”

Cllr Golding spoke of the Conservative group’s commitment not to build on any greenfield site “unless it was absolutely necessary”, and encouraged all who attended to fill in the questionnaire which is part of the borough council’s New Home Consultation on where houses should be built.

Mrs Miller is holding a meeting on Saturday in Chineham Village Hall at 10.30am for further discussions of the house-building proposals.