THE Winchester public will have their first chance to have their say on the crucial local plan that will shape development over the next two decades.

The Council has agreed a draft for public consultation.

Councillors raised numerous controversial issues that will be thrashed out before the Local Plan Part 2 goes before an inspector at a public inquiry in 2015.

It includes the need for the district to find sites for houses. The meeting heard that many villages were happy with the public consultation.

In Alresford an alternative plan is being worked up by residents because they are unhappy about the proposal for 320 houses on land off Sun Lane.

But former mayor Barry Lipscomb said: "Lots of parish councils have expressed satisfaction at the way they have been consulted."

Deputy council leader Victoria Weston said there had been consultation for 20 months.

At Alresford Cllr Simon Cook said if Sun Lane fell through then other sites in the town would have to be used. Other suggested sites include off The Avenue, The Dean and New Farm Road.

Cllr Harry Verney, who represents Cheriton and Bishop’s Sutton, said he knew of a developer wanting to build 60-70 homes near Alresford. He declined later to reveal where.

In Wickham the proposed development at Welborne outside Fareham was pushing people to oppose new house building. Cllr Angela Clear, the local councillor, said: “There is opposition to houses in Wickham, that's it threatens Wickham's infrastructure, especially traffic and drainage. A survey showed 16,500 vehicle movements in 12 hours on A32 and A334. The average for an A road is 12,800. Welborne and the 205 still to be built in Wickham will only exacerbate the problem.”

On sites for Gypsies and travellers, senior planner Steve Opacic said: "The sites identified, apart from Colden Common, were subject to strong objections and have been taken out of the plan."

The council is working EHDC and SDNP will look at potential sites.