“THEY want to make a killing by killing the countryside.”

Those were the words of Winchester’s MP Steve Brine at a meeting on Monday when around 200 residents discussed fighting plans for a new town.

As previously reported, initial plans have been revealed to build 6,000 homes on the Sutton Scotney Estate, at Micheldever Station, which marks the latest chapter in a nearly 30-year planning saga.

The plans, which it is said will create more than 5,000 jobs, have proved highly controversial, just as previous schemes have, and were submitted in response to Winchester City Council’s ‘call for sites’, part of the Local Plan Review.

It is currently owned by the Magnier family, who are working in partnership with the O’Flynn Group on the plans.

On Monday evening, the Dever Society, which was set up to fight the original scheme in 1990, held a public meeting to garner support for the campaign against the new town, which also saw city council leader, portfolio holder for housing and ward councillor Caroline Horrill speak.

Tessa Robertson, chairman of the Dever Society, told residents that if it went ahead, the scheme would be around the size of Petersfield, three-times bigger than Barton Farm development and six times the size of South Wonston.

It was also claimed that it would result in the loss of the last major green gap between Basingstoke and Southampton.

Ms Robertson said: “We were really taken by surprise when the O’Flynn Group first revealed the plans. Unfortunately we have asked for more detail but they have not responded yet.”

During the meeting MP Steve Brine heavily criticised the latest proposal. He said: “Im actually quite angry this time.

“It does make me wonder how many times and how many ways we have to say no to a new town.”

Mr Brine added that the development would act as another commuter town servicing London, and “this is still an important green gap between here and Basingstoke”.

As previously reported, the Magniers bought the Sutton Scotney Estate a couple of years ago for a reported £45 million from Zurich Insurance, previously called Eagle Star.

Since 1990 numerous attempts to have the land earmarked for a new town of up to 12,500 houses have been defeated.

The proposed site this time is smaller, lying south of Black Wood, east of the mainline railway and west of the A33.

Defending the plans in a letter, O’Flynn group chairman Michael O’Flynn said: “These new proposals are significantly better than previous ones as they clearly show this site is uniquely well placed for Winchester City Council to locate well-planned, sensitive development which delivers much needed new homes and employment.

“Over the next few months we will be seeking to engage with residents, councillors and interest groups in the plans for the site, ensuring that the masterplan is open for comment.

“At this time we are committed to working in parallel with the council’s Local Plan Review process and we do not intend to bring forward any planning application at this stage.”

Following the meeting, a spokesman for the Dever Society confirmed that around 150 people had signed up to volunteer in the fight against the Micheldever Station scheme.

O'Flynn Group: full statement

O’FLYNN Group is in the early stages of working up proposals for part of the Sutton Scotney Estate for inclusion in Winchester City Council’s emerging Local Plan Review.

The O’Flynn Group has entered into an agreement with the owners of the estate – the Magnier family – to explore options for a scheme that is appropriate to the area and sensitive to other stakeholders’ interests.

The Magniers have a demonstrable track record of appreciating the importance of the natural environment and countryside, and these experiences will inform the approach in Micheldever.

Chairman and CEO Michael O’Flynn said: “Our initial feasibility and masterplanning work suggests that the site could accommodate up to 6,000 homes, of which 40% could be much-needed affordable housing, with homes for the elderly, for families trying to get on the housing ladder, and self-build.

“In size, this is 50% smaller than previous proposals for the site proposed by Zurich Insurance.

“Our approach is to reduce the scale of development allowing for a much more sympathetic relationship with the wider estate and the continuation of tenant farming.

“Our proposals would create over 5,000 jobs in a local business park and in shops and services, and would bring significant investment in community facilities with three local centres, primary and secondary schools and social infrastructure.

“These new proposals are significantly better than previous ones as they clearly show this site is uniquely well placed for Winchester City Council to locate well-planned, sensitive development which delivers much needed new homes and employment.

“Over the next few months we will be seeking to engage with residents, councillors and interest groups in the plans for the site, ensuring that the masterplan is open for comment.

“At this time we are committed to working in parallel with the Local Plan Review process and we do not intend to bring forward any planning application at this stage.”