CIVIC chiefs have approved the latest draft of the local plan and have set out the dates for when the public consultation will launch.

Winchester City Council's Cabinet approved the plan, which sets out how development including housing, business construction, and infrastructure will evolve up to 2039.

The public consultation will take the form of a website and several in-person events. It will run from November 2 to December 14.

Cllr Jackie Porter, Cabinet member for place and the local plan, said: “We’re really grateful for the input people have given so far. It’s helped make the draft plan better. We’re looking forward to hearing from residents to help us improve the plan still further.”

Parish councils raised concerns at the meeting over two of the sites.

Cllr June Perrins, from South Wonston Parish Council, said: “We're opposed to development at West Hill Road North as it's a greenfield site. South Wonston Parish Council rejected all of the SHELAA sites for good reason. West Hill Road North is a sensitive landscape and is not what the leader is promoting.”

READ MORE: Where is the new housing going to go? Local plan sites earmarked for future housing and employment around Winchester

Cllr Mark Smith, chairman of Otterbourne Parish Council, said: “One of the sites submitted in May was an area known as 'Gladman'. The support from the parish council and the community was for a part-size development with a caveat submitted being of extreme importance. It can be used for carbon offset to re-wild the land, but it has a public path dissecting it which is seen as a village asset. It's an emotive topic as it's used for residents' mental well-being. Winchester City Council needs to know there is no support from the parish council or residents for this to happen under any circumstance. You need to find an alternative site.”

Cllr Porter said that the issues raised would be discussed after the meeting as the plan is still in its draft stage.

Cllr Kelsie Learney said: "We know that houses built now will be generating carbon for the next 100 years. The decisions we make now will make a real difference. We need the local plan to deal with everyone equally. I'm very happy to move this plan to consultation."

Cllr Paula Ferguson said: "I would like to extend my thanks to the officers for the time they have given this. It's important to ensure young people take part in the consultation, it's their future.

"I'm sure if she was still with us, Cllr Murphy would say we cannot ignore the climate crisis, we have to make sure we plan for the future."

The local plan consultation will launch on November 2.