RESIDENTS turned out in force at Overton Parish Council to voice their concern over proposals to build 150 new dwellings in the village.

Around 60 people crowded the community centre hoping to have their say on the proposed development of the Northern Fields site, which some residents say will “spoil” the village’s community feel.

However, some members of the council argued that new houses are inevitable due to government legislation and put forward their idea of installing a neighbourhood plan.

The council says the proposed plan will give it a choice in where development can take place and allow it to oppose a single large development in favour of a number of smaller ones.

Chairman of the parish council Councillor Dr Tom Ridler said: “The best solution is to have a neighbourhood plan which shows what the village requires.

“We can’t stop the 150 houses being built but we can stop them being built all in one place, that is the plan.”

Brian Elkins, project manager of the neighbourhood plan, supported Cllr Ridler’s statements.

He said: “What’s good about the plan is it expresses the opinion of what people in the village want.

“We had 600 responses to the plan and a high percentage opposed the idea of a single large development.”

However, there was opposition from Councillor Peter Baker who said he did not agree the village had no choice but to accept lots of houses being built.

He said: “In the opening line it says that they have no choice to accept the 150 houses.

“I have never agreed with that statement and with the neighbourhood plan and I have never wanted to be a part of that organisation.

“What we need to do is go from here and build a campaign to go down to Basingstoke and make our voices heard, don’t pillage Overton village.”

Despite the disagreement, however, all councillors were in agreement that they were pleased with the turnout with Cllr Baker labelling it “encouraging” while Cllr Ridler said it was “lovely to see”.

The neighbourhood plan will go to a village referendum next year.