WINCHESTER should consider expanding onto green fields to ensure enough affordable housing is built in the next 20 years, a meeting heard.

Labour group leader Chris Pines said the city council should look at four or five small sites on countryside on the edge of the city.

His proposal to look at pushing back the settlement boundary was supported by senior Conservative Ian Tait, the portfolio holder for housing services.

They made the call at the town forum which was discussing the new local plan part 2 that will shape development until 2031.

Cllr Pines said at greenfield Barton Farm the council had been able to get 40 per cent social housing. But on brownfield sites, the percentage was much lower with potentially nothing at all at the £150m Silver Hill scheme.

He said: “We have to redress the balance. The only real option is to look at green field sites around the edge of the city.” He suggested five or six sites with a maximum of 40-50 homes at each.

It is an idea backed by local architect Paul Bulkeley, of Snug Projects, who proposes developing on greenfield sites on the edge of Winnall.

The town forum agreed the idea should be looked at by planners.

Steve Opacic, head of strategic planning, said such a move may prove difficult to control as landowners all around Winchester would promote their sites: “If you make the decision that you want to look at greenfield sites for affordable housing you would need to look at Pitt Vale, Oliver’s Battery, north of Barton Farm, the Welches land (at Harestock).

“If you (the councillors) tell us to expand the settlement boundary we would have to look at all of them. If you go for the Welches land you would be open to challenge. Linden Homes would say you need Pitt Vale.”

The town forum heard from Adam and Simon Welch who have been promoting the development of land between Harestock and Littleton for a mix of housing and open space. North Winchester was short of open space. The city council was not addressing local needs, they said.

Simon Welch said the city council was allowing smaller places such as Bishop's Waltham and Waltham Chase to expand their boundaries but no Winchester. He said the public consultation was "inadequate and misleading."

But Mr Opacic said there will be no need for Winchester to expand as more than enough housing can be provided on already identified sites.