THE Alresford public have the chance next month to see in more detail plans for a controversial development on the eastern edge of town.

Seaward Properties wants to build 320 homes on farmland off Sun Lane.

It will host a public exhibition on Wednesday, February 10, at Alresford Community Centre.

Sun Lane is the preferred site for development in the Local Plan and is supported by planners at the city council and also by the town council.

But many people, particularly those living close by, say it would create serious problems such as traffic congestion on inadequate local roads.

In 2014 a group of residents gathered at the junction of Sun Lane and Nursery Road to highlight their concerns over the traffic impact.

Seaward Properties is looking to bring together a masterplan and wants local views on what it should contain.

It says Sun Lane has wider benefits, including a new industrial estate to replace the one at The Dean, 37 acres of new public open space, road improvements, and space for the expansion of the Sun Hill schools.

Steve Culpitt, land and planning director at Seaward Properties, said: “Alresford has to deliver new homes – so why not get the most out of the future development for the town.

Sun Lane is a unique opportunity to deliver the new homes required under the Local Plan, along with new employment premises, new transport links and a very large area of public open space.

“Because of the opportunities this site presents, we would like residents to help us shape these exciting plans for New Alresford.

For example, we can deliver 15 hectares of public open space on Sun Lane – we’d like to know what the local community think this should be used for and how it could look.”

The exhibition will be at the community centre on West Street on February 10 between 4pm and 8pm.

The Seaward team will be available to discuss the concept masterplan, its constraints and opportunities and to listen to what the public thinks about future development.

Critics of Sun Lane have argued for a more even distribution of house building around the market town, sparking opposition from other parts of the community.

Anyone unable to attend the public exhibition or would like further information about Seaward Properties, can contact the project’s freephone information line on 0800 298 7040 or visit www.sunlane-newalresford.co.uk.

The Local Plan is heading towards submission to the Secretary of State for examination, expected in March.

There will be a public inquiry to examine the plan in detail.