THE Alresford Society has voiced its opposition to Alfred Homes’ plans at a paddock at Arlebury Park.

The developer wants to build 60 homes just off The Avenue.

Russell Gordon-Smith, vice chairman and also a chartered landscape planner, said in a letter to the city council: “The site lies outside the agreed development boundary and if permitted will open up the whole Avenue for development by setting a precedent; the ‘domino effect’. This is a classic ‘thin edge of the wedge’ situation.

“This development would irreparably damage the distinctiveness of the town’s grand western entrance.”

The society supports plans for 300 homes on farmland off Sun Lane as a more sustainable proposal.

Space must be found for 500 homes in the market town over the next 20 years.

The land was the site of a proposal by Waitrose to build a supermarket in 1997 which was fiercely resisted by townspeople.

Mr Gordon-Smith said of The Avenue: “For residents throughout the town this is a tranquil, much-loved historic feature of Alresford and attracts many visitors. An attempt some years ago to build a supermarket on this same site, brought together hundreds of people in a protest meeting, repeated a few years later when another (much smaller) housing development was proposed.”

Alfred’s plans for land owned by local farmer Rodney Morgan-Giles, includes an extended public car park, open space and landscaping and internal access roads.

The development, named Alderwood, includes 19 homes for the over-55s and 40 per cent affordable housing (24 homes).

The plans have been the subject of public consultation, with a majority of those attending the public exhibition in December 2015 voicing support, said Alfred Homes.