WINCHESTER civic chiefs should find land to build a new council housing estate, a meeting has heard.

Former city councillor Ian Tait, now a planning consultant, is pressing the city council to look at a modern version of Stanmore, which was one of the first purpose-built estates in the country in the 1920s.

Mr Tait told the Cabinet Housing committee: "I want to strongly suggest that the council considers finding enough land for a new 21st century council estate which will be close to Winchester and not in the Southern Parishes.

READ MORE HERE: Potential housing estate being promoted outside Winchester

"Looking back at the history of council housing, Winchester played a very important role delivering significant numbers of new homes, not piecemeal but by building large estates at Stanmore, Highcliffe, Winnall, Weeke and Abbotts Barton.

"On a large site 1,000 new homes could be built thus removing uncertainty from many communities as to whether there would be new developments near them."

Hampshire Chronicle:

Mr Tait said the recent smaller-scale developments such as the 77 homes in The Valley, Stanmore, and 76 at Winnall Flats were being developed without any new community benefits.

Andrew Palmer, head of new homes delivery at the city council, said he supported the idea of a new estate. "Clearly it is more efficient to provide housing on a big scale and saves staff time and resources. It is always good to have larger schemes come forward. It is something we will continue to look for."

Mr Palmer said large schemes made it much simpler to provide infrastructure such as new schools and roads.

Richard Botham, strategic director, said the council was always looking for opportunities to buy land and has set aside several million pounds. "We have an interest in a number of sites at the moment", he said.

Earlier this year the Chronicle revealed how developer Drew Smith was looking to develop around 320 homes at Pitt Vale off Romsey Road, to the south-west of the city.

Pitt Vale is one of the sites being considered as part of the new Local Plan.

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Mr Tait said he was heartened by a "very positive and helpful reply" to his comments from Cllr Paula Ferguson, the deputy leader of the city council and Cabinet member for community and housing.

The city council has a target of building 1,000 council houses between 2021 and 2030. A previous target of 250 new homes between 2012 and 2021 was achieved.

Mr Palmer gave an update on the council's building programme. Schemes in early stages include Dyson Drive, Abbotts Barton, eight homes; Corner House, North Walls, six; Southbrook Cottages, Micheldever, six; Witherbed Lane, Segensworth, four; Woodman Close, Sparsholt, five; Extra Care homes at Whiteley and Kings Barton, 70 each.

Of the current 1,000 target by 2030: 121 have been completed, 130 are on site, six are subject to a tender application, 24 are subject to planning and 313 are at the feasibility or negotiation stage.

Other opportunities for housing include Sir John Moore Barracks, Silver Hill, Station Approach, the Cattle Market and Ravenswood at Wickham.