A NEW housing estate may be built next to a Winchester suburb if "emerging" plans are approved.

The plans for 195 houses to be built in a field by Lanham Lane, near Weeke, are still "evolving", according to the potential developers, Kler Group.

The site on the wstern side of the city is close to the proposed location for the huge new housing complex proposal for Sir John Moore Barracks, which will have between 750 and 1,000 homes if it is approved.

On the official Lanham Lane public consultation website, Kler Group says: "The housing layout will reflect the current housing mix policy, which includes a larger proportion of smaller one, two and three-bedroom properties. The provision of smaller, often narrower house types, results in a higher density despite in visual terms the spacing between the buildings being like a development of larger houses."

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The proposed development in its current form (Image: Lanham Lane Public Consultation)

Winchester and the surrounding villages are seeing a rise in the number of planning applications as the Labour government's policy to boost house-building comes into force.

Recently, Wonston Parish Council held a drop-in event in Sutton Scotney to discuss alternatives to developer Wates' plans to build 120 new houses in the village, which it says would overburden the sewerage system.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has held a number of drop-in events to present its "masterplan" for a new housing estate on the site of Sir John Moore Barracks. It is expected a planning application will be submitted in the spring of next year.

According to the Kler group, one of the advantages of the Lanham Lane site is its low flood risk.

They say: "The site is located entirely within Flood Zone 1 where there is a low probability of flooding from rivers and the sea and there are no established sources of flood risk.

"Given the geological composition of the site there is a low residual risk of groundwater flooding, however there is no known evidence which demonstrates the site to possess a history of groundwater flooding, and the sites raised elevation also makes this unlikely."

One issue with the site, however, could arise with its frontage onto Lanham Lane, which is very narrow, being not much wider than the width of a car.

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Regarding travel to and from the proposed estate, Kler Group says: "The site is well located for travel by sustainable modes, with schools, employment, recreation facilities and key amenities all located within a two-kilometre pedestrian catchment from the site access. At the southern site boundary, Lanham Lane is a bridleway, and there is scope to provide a pedestrian and cycle connection to the Public Rights of Way network in this location.

"The local roads in the vicinity of the site are lightly trafficked and hence suitable for use by cyclists. Winchester City Centre, Winchester Railway Station, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, and the University of Winchester are all located within a 5km cycle from the centre of the site."

On the website, Kler Group does not yet comment on the potential difficulties surrounding access via car to the estate.

Developers are encouraging residents to submit opinions via their website before September 30.

More information can be found at lanhamlaneconsultation.co.uk