Opposition is growing against plans for a major housing development on the edge of Winchester.
Bloor Homes have unveiled a masterplan for South Winchester Golf Course, with plans for park and ride, a primary school, a tennis facility, and a large country park.
The development, known as Manor Parks, includes around 1,000 homes and half the site will be retained as green space.
However, all three Winchester City Councillors from the Badger Farm and Oliver's Battery ward oppose the scheme.
READ MORE: Major plans for new community including 1,000 homes revealed for golf course
Conservative councillor Jan Warwick said: “These latest plans for the South Winchester Golf Club site were unexpected. I understand Bloor Homes have an option on the golf course and the site is included in the Winchester City Council’s SHELAA document but as club members had been reassured we did not expect plans to be brought forward so early on.
"It is really important to understand if Cllr Porter intends to include this site in this year’s revised Winchester City Council local plan. Clearly with the plans for the nearby Bushfield Camp moving at a pace more development here will heap pressure on the already congested road network, local biodiversity and healthcare services. I will work with my fellow councillors to oppose these plans.”
Fellow city councillor Brian Laming, a Liberal Democrat, said: "The landowners put it forward as a housing site to be allocated in the emerging Local Plan. It was not allocated and is unlikely to be."
Cllr Adrian Brophy, a Liberal Democrat who was elected for the first time in May, said: "I know Oliver's Battery residents are really concerned about Bloor Homes's intentions and I'm with them on that. We do have extra protection because the site isn't in the current local plan. Cllr Jackie Porter and the Liberal Democrat cabinet also decided that it shouldn't be in the draft of the new local plan that was put out for consultation as recently as last November. This proposal might be Bloor Homes's plan - but it's not in the council's plan."
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Cllr David Kirkby, chairman of Oliver's Battery Parish Council, said: "As far as Oliver’s Battery Parish Council is aware this site is not going to be included in the emerging Local Plan."
The golf club opened in the 1990s after it was previously Manor Farm. The historical farm structures were incorporated into the club buildings.
Bloor Homes is planning a series of themed webinar events over the coming months, the first of which will be held at 7pm on Wednesday July 26.
To attend go to www.manor-parks.com.
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