A call has been made to find brownfield sites as work continues on a blueprint that will determine where thousands of homes will be built around East Hampshire.

East Hampshire District Council wants to prioritise development on brownfield land as the draft Local Plan takes shape.

But they need the public’s help in compiling a list of previously developed sites that could be suitable for future housing.

The request follows a seven-week public consultation in which residents were invited to make comments on policies and proposed development sites.

The process prompted anger in Alton with fields around Windmill Hill and Neatham Down suggested for major development.

“Many of the responses we received (during the consultation) suggested that every opportunity should be taken to identify brownfield land for development,” said a spokesperson for EHDC.

“This has always been the approach we take. However, we have not managed to identify sufficient brownfield land able to deliver the amount of new homes we need.”

“We agree that brownfield land should be a priority for development, so to make sure we have considered all possibilities, we have launched a ‘Call for Brownfield Sites’.”

Residents have until June 7 to answer the call and let EHDC know about which brownfield sites, outside the South Downs National Park area, where housing could potentially be built.

The council would also like to receive suggestions for sites that could potentially be used for Traveller and Travelling Showpeople accommodation and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).

BNG requires all developments to provide greater biodiversity than might be lost due to development. This might sometimes mean making planting or landscaping changes to a suitable site elsewhere.

If you know of any sites that could meet EHDC requirements then look for ‘brownfield’ in the search browser at www.easthants.gov.uk and follow the link.