Alton residents fight back over plans to build 1,700 new homes on greenfield site

• ITV News Meridian's Rachel Hepworth spoke to local residents about their concerns

Campaigners in the Hampshire town of Alton say plans to build 1,700 new houses would ruin their way of life.

East Hampshire District Council says it needs to meet the growing demand for housing with limited sites available.

The proposals are part of the authority's Draft Local Plan, which aims to meet the demand for sustainable housing over the next 15 years.

But many in the town say the current allocation is putting an unfair burden on their local services and should be shared more equally across the district.

One of those most affected by the proposals in Abigail Hills, whose house overlooks Neatham Down, where the vast majority of the homes are planned, along with a new school and pub.

"We bought it because of the views," she says. "For me it would just be complete devastation, absolutely soul destroying.

"It's awful for the wider community too, the thought of losing this vital green space, especially in a climate emergency, is so short-sighted.

"We should be protecting areas like this."

The scale of the proposed Neatham Down site has caused wider anger locally.

The homes are planned for different sites around the town, uniting campaigners in their fears for local services, congestion, and Alton's unique character.

"There is a public outcry," says Carol Palmer, who led a group which successfully fought against plans to build hundreds of homes at Chawton Park Farm on the western edge of town.

"If we carry on in this direction we will have increased the population from 2011 by 40%."

"People are getting anxious about it," says Gerry Janes from the Holybourne Village Association.

"They value where they live and want to keep it like this.

"We're not against development, people need houses, but there needs to be fair distribution across the whole district."

"I'm very aware of the needs of people, my daughter is a housing officer," says James Willis, a former GP and 50-year resident of the town.

"But it's got to be done in a balanced way, without destroying the unique character of the towns they are seeking to expand."

Campaigners believe the town has a disproportionately high allocation of extra homes compared to other areas in the district, such as Whitehill and Bordon.

The council says Alton's existing facilities and transport links make it an obvious choice for expansion, and they are restricted because land in the South Downs National Park is off limits.

The issues are the same faced by communities across the South.

Councils have to meet government targets for housebuilding but campaigners want to preserve their green spaces and unique character.

In East Hampshire the council is urging locals not to see development simply as negative.

"We hope that the people who do move into the towns will enhance it" says Councillor Angela Glass, portfolio holder for Regulation and Enforcement, which overseas planning.

"They will keep it vibrant and use the facilities that Alton has.

"I do understand people's concerns, and we will listen before making any decisions, but we do have to put these homes somewhere in the district.

"There is no bias against Alton. But it is the biggest town with an infrastructure and excellent transport links."

"We are also proposing development in other areas of East Hampshire, including Whitehill and Bordon."

The consultation period will be re-opened later in the year once the current plan has been revised, but campaigners are vowing to continue their fight to save the landscape they hold precious.

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