‘WE want our town to grow organically’ – those were the words of scores of market town residents as they rallied to debate an alternative vision for nearly 400 homes.

At an exhibition on Saturday (Oct 18) a pressure group encouraged residents to share their ideas on where new homes in Alresford could go.

Some 700 residents poured through the doors of the community centre.

Feedback forms were circulated and members of the community group, who agreed to work with the town council to produce an alternative plan, answered questions.

Jeremy Collins, community group leader, said the turn-out was “incredible”.

“For the most part people have been engaging in balanced conversation,” he said.

“I was a bit nervous about what we were going to get but everyone has welcomed the opportunity to have a debate and share their ideas, and have been positive in their approach.”

After a string of hostile public meetings the town council backed ideas for building off Sun Lane in July.

It comes as part of Winchester City Council’s Local Plan Part Two, which requires a further 386 homes to be built in Alresford by 2031.

The community group said they want a plan ‘for Alresford, by Alresford’, and Jacklyn’s Lane resident Marilyn Weston said it is “exactly what the town needs”.

She said: “This is what the town council should have done way back. The town council did not engage early on to this level. The feedback is that residents are keen to see the town grow organically over time. Although we have to take this housing, we don’t have to take it all in one hit.”

However some people said the alternative plan is creating confusion.

A resident of The Avenue, who asked not to be named, said: “Who are these people? I don’t know who they are. I thought this whole thing was done and dusted and then I got a leaflet about this through my front door.

“Why are they doing this? Do they have a vested interest? Surely the planners who have spent three years on these plans have thought very carefully, and they just seem to be poo pooing everything that the planning committee have been looking at.”

Another said: “I’m just flummoxed. The way these boards are worded seems very negative to me.”

The boards raised questions about traffic, parking, employment, school places and open space. Residents were given feedback forms to complete.

The results will form the basis of the next exhibition, on November 22, where the alternative plan for Alresford will be revealed.