A PRESSURE group that has an alternative vision for Alresford’s future has revealed its ideas.

The professional group said that around 500 people attended its recent exhibition at the town's community centre and 85 per cent of people supported its views.

It detailed where nearly 400 new homes could go as part of Winchester City Council’s Local Plan Part Two.

Sam Kerr-Smiley, of the professional group, said: “This is a plan that meets the identified needs of the local business and residential communities, which doesn’t overload development onto just one area and which has secured very substantial public support from within the local community.”

The town council wants to place most of the homes on farmland off Sun Lane.

The group’s ideas include 172 homes in western Alresford, with 45 in Watercress Meadows and 120 in New Farm Road, and 106 in the north, with 12 in Bridge Road, 64 in Alrebury Park and 30 in The Dean.

There could also be 30 at Sun Hill School, 78 on land off Sun Lane, plus a 60-bed residential care home which the group says could provide up to 60 jobs, new allotments and a burial ground.

The group asked residents if they supported their plan and say 85 per cent “unequivocally” do, with nine per cent against and six per cent unsure.

Steve Coward, of the Alresford Residents Against Piecemeal Development group, which supports building off Sun Lane, said there are many “what ifs” hanging over the professional group’s ideas.

“I don’t think there was anything new there,” he said.

“It mirrors very closely the plan that was positioned as an alternative early in the year by the council.”

He said the professional group’s plan uses too many sites with different land owners, and could be undeliverable.

Cllr Roy Gentry, of the town council, said: “They are at risk of upsetting a lot of people in Alresford.

“I have to say that I am pleased they have done it. It was just the thing that needed to be done by a group in Alresford which was not the town council.

“I’m not altogether sure that it is going to be acceptable to all the residents of Alresford.”

Seaward Properties, which is promoting Sun Lane, said the professional group has not properly considered the potential impact for Alresford residents.

Sean Phillips, chief executive, said: “In presenting a plan which claims to help reduce the impact of future development in Alresford, the group has instead afforded the opportunity for multiple sites to come forward at any time, without proper consideration or consultation on the potential impact for Alresford residents.

“Our proposals for the land at Sun Lane represent a transparent, considered and holistic approach which not only meets the requirements of the Local Plan, but also can be appropriately phased and controlled.

“Whilst the professional group has claimed that only one in 10 residents support the draft local plan, the discussions we had with the many local people who attended the exhibition on November 7 suggests there is a very balanced opinion in the town.”

Alresford Town Council’s planning committee next meet on December 4, and the consultation period for the local plan ends on December 5.