A CONTROVERSIAL proposed development on the edge of the city has once again come under fire amid claims it will do nothing but contribute to Winchester's traffic problems.

Linden Homes have submitted plans for 350 homes at Pitt Vale - reduced from the original plan for 500 following consultations with local residents and ward councillors.

The new site, between the village of Pitt and Pitt Manor - known locally as Winchester Village - is aimed to "address the current shortage of housing supply in Winchester".

But following the severe bottle-neck at the Badger Farm Road roundabout, residents claim Romsey Road has become nothing short of a car park since Pitt Manor's erection and another 350 homes will far from help.

Hursley Parish Council chairman, Eleanor Bell, said: "Linden Homes think it is intelligent to put another 350 homes just south of Pitt roundabout. Winchester City Council will certainly refuse the applications, Hampshire County Council Highways will again duck out of their strategic obligations, and another inspector will be asked to decide on our behalf on the outcome of an application that will affect us all for generations.

"You cannot just expand without thinking," she added. "No matter how nice the houses or how needed, it's not the way to do it. You cannot just stick them up anywhere. You have to look at the infrastructure first."

But Linden Homes say they will discuss infrastructure issues with the Highways authority in due course and that their development will help give a big donation to the city council's Community Infrastructure Levy.

A spokesperson for Linden said: "Linden Homes' highways consultants have undertaken technical work which, using locally sourced data, has demonstrated that the development would generate approximately 170 two-way movements in a peak hour, of which 65 would travel along Romsey Road into and out of central Winchester. This equates to approximately one additional vehicle per minute though Kilham Lane and Battery Hill."

The property developer has long claimed, since the original 500-home proposition was rebuffed by residents, that Winchester City Council will fail to meet its new housing quota.

The spokesperson added: "As the council is not able to demonstrate a five-year supply of housing, as required by the National Planning Policy Framework, the decision was taken to submit an outline planning application to help address the council's shortfall.

"When taking a decision on the proposals, Winchester City Council's planning officers and elected members will have to take these views into account, along with the demonstrable need for new housing in the city."

When Winchester City Council were contacted for comment a spokesman said while they were unable to comment on any current applications any raised issues - including any to do with Highways - would be assessed prior to its decision.

Cllr Jan Warwick said: “As local ward councillors we are concerned about the impact on the local infrastructure if this development goes ahead. The traffic entering Winchester via the Romsey Road already queues back to the Badger Farm roundabout at peak times and this is before we feel the impact of the Pitt Manor (Winchester Village) due to open shortly. Any development on this scale at Pitt Vale will add to the burden on local schools and doctors' surgeries as well as dominating the historic hamlet of Pitt.”