ALRESFORD town chiefs chose the wrong site for major development because of outdated figures and “prejudicial statements”, it has been claimed.

Controversial plans to build on farmland off Sun Lane are based on “over-egging” of the town’s needs, city chiefs heard.

The town council has sparked long-standing controversy by suggesting the bulk of required new homes be built on one site. An alternative vision scattering development throughout the town has won the support of many residents.

Robert Fowler, of Sun Hill and Tichborne Down Action Group, told Winchester City Council that reports identifying the town’s needs had been “steered” towards building near Sun Lane without the approval of residents who helped advise them.

He said: “We are urging New Alresford Town Council to withdraw the reports and rewrite them to eliminate prejudicial statements, using up-to-date information, but they have been very reluctant.

“These reports have been spectacularly over-egging the requirements in some areas.”

The documents advise the city council’s Local Plan Part Two, which identifies sites for 12,500 new homes across the district by 2031, including 500 in Alresford.

Steve Opacic, the city council’s head of strategic planning, said “drastic changes” could result in another consultation.

When asked by the Chronicle how long changing the recommendations might delay the project, Mr Opacic said: “We’re not going to start again – we’ll have to assess what the town council put in.”

Around 1,150 comments were offered to the city council during a recent consultation, with almost half coming from Alresford.

Officers will meet stakeholders from across the district in March to discuss the feedback ahead of a draft plan to be published in June.