WINCHESTER civic chiefs are discussing plans for hundreds of new homes on land on the edge of the city, a meeting heard.

The city council is rumoured to be in talks with landowners next to Winchester Village at Pitt.

Former city councillor Ian Tait (pictured, top right) raised the issue at a council committee: "Rumours are circulating in parts of Winchester, particularly Winchester Village, that a deal for 3-400 homes on the Pitt Vale site. Can you confirm that talks are taking place with the landowner?"

Mr Tait, who is now a planning consultant, said he had long argued for the city council to be building new estates for people on the housing list.

READ MORE HERE: Developers promoting new estate at Pitt Vale near Winchester

Cllr Christopher Westwood, chairman of the Cabinet housing committee, (pictured, top left) answering Mr Tait, said: "To my knowledge there is nothing in the emerging Local Plan that says we will be developing in that area. I don't know of any proposed development at present on that site."

In February last year the Chronicle revealed that developer Drew Smith wants to build a 350-home new estate on the land, to the south-western edge of the city. Plans for 5,000 homes in the Royaldown proposal, a new town built between Oliver's Battery and Hursley, was defeated. Bloor Homes now owns South Winchester Golf Club.

The meeting also heard other sites are under consideration: garages at Minden Way and Fox Lane, Stanmore (20 homes); Dykes Farm, off Easton Lane (50+ homes); The Dean and Sun Lane in Alresford; Extra Care units at Kings Barton and Whiteley.

Andrew Palmer, head of new homes delivery, said Dykes Farm was within the South Downs National Park and he was in discussions with them.

SEE ALSO: Former councillor calls for new estate of council housing

"I can't say at the moment say how many homes on that particular site. I hope a substantial number, over 50. It is not in our planning area, it's the South Downs National Park even though it is only a mile from the city centre."

The committee heard that the council is making good progress on hitting a target of 1,000 council homes over a ten-year period. Some 153 have been completed, 104 are on site, 18 are in the planning stage and there are feasibility studies into 300 more. The number of 580 has been reached in only the first two-three years of the ten-year target.

The target was initially set up by the Conservatives and has since had strong support from the current Liberal Democrat administration on the city council.

Current scheme where builders are on site include Cobbett Gardens, Whiteley, 54; Winnall flats, 73 flats plus three houses;  Southbrook Cottage, Micheldever, which are due for completion in December. They will be the council's first Passivhaus Plus homes which aim for low energy bills.

Other schemes have been submitted for planning permission: Dyson Drive, Abbotts Barton eight homes; Corner House pub, North Walls, six units; Witherbed Lane, Whiteley, four units.