Residents in an East Hampshire village have hit back against plans for a significant number of new houses.

Last week, plans were announced for a public consultation regarding a proposal for 200 new homes on land south of Chalton Lane in Clanfield. Barratt David Wilson Homes is currently preparing to send an official application to East Hampshire District Council.

Despite the event next happening week to seek residents’ feedback, locals have already made their views quite clear.

Multiple signs have been put up near the proposed land and throughout the village, and appear to have been done by the same person.

The signs read: “Say no development to Barratt David Wilson Homes.”

It then has details of the public consultation, which will be held on Wednesday, February 26, between 4pm and 8pm at The Clanfield Centre, Endal Way, Clanfield.

More than 100 people commented on the plans when the news was shared on a local community page on Facebook.

Meadows and fields, Sunderton Lane in Clanfield
View of the proposed land from Sunderton Lane in Clanfield (Calum Burke)

One resident, who has lived in area for 47 years, said: “I am just sad and appalled that our beautiful countryside is being decimated. Our countryside is precious and is home to an array of vital biodiversity birds, reptiles, small mammals, insects, trees, hedges, pockets of grasslands and more.

“The countryside in Catherington bears the archaeological evidence for human occupation stretching back more than 2 millennia, for most of the time humans have respected the land, until now in the Anthropocene and end stage capitalism greedy developers seek to destroy it.”

Commeting on The Petersfield Post’s article on the website, another added: “I’m 100 percent against this. The village is no longer a village, the doctors surgery can’t cope with the patients they have without the extra from this build! There are so many reasons why this should not be allowed.”

Other concerns raised include traffic, particularly at school drop off and pick up times, reducing remaining green spaces, nearby housing developments, lack of infrastructure and more.

The proposals also include extensive public open space, pedestrian and cycle connections, landscape enhancements, the retention and improvement of public rights of way crossing the site, and a new vehicle access from Chalton Lane.

There is also the pressure of the Government’s new housing targets for East Hampshire which rose from 574 to 1,142 in December last year.