The council's deputy leader will "push back" on housing targets set by the government after complaints that too many houses will be built in Basingstoke and Deane.

More than a hundred protestors gathered outside the council's offices on Thursday night, saying that Basingstoke could not sustain the level of housing expected of it.

After several impassioned speeches from councillors and members of the public, the council's deputy leader said he would seek support from the borough's three MPs, Maria Miller, Kit Malthouse and Ranil Jayawardena, to get the government to reduce the housing target.

Basingstoke and Deane needs to build 900 new homes a year, and when a 10 per cent buffer is included in the calculation, it could see almost 18,000 new homes built between 2021 and 2039.

But several speakers said this number was just unfeasible, including members of the council's administration.

Cllr Bound publicly asked Cllr Ken Rhatigan, the council leader, whether he would support him in appealing to the government that the borough has "exceptional circumstances" and therefore cannot take the number of houses expected.

He listed high-yield agricultural land, a third of the borough being in an area of outstanding natural beauty, historic housebuilding, water shortages, and being at the head of major Thames tributaries.

Replying, Cllr Rhatigan said: "The reality is that we must do everything we can to make sure the number imposed on us by central government is the right number.

"If there is mitigation we should play it out, we should ensure that the best case is made.

"Put the evidence to the people and let them decide, as long as we have presented the best case I think we can do it together."

However, this came after fellow portfolio holder Tristan Robinson warned that no council to the best of his knowledge had successfully argued for exceptional circumstances.

And there was a warning from Conservative councillor Sam Carr that "if you fight Whitehall on this you will lose".

He said Cllr Bound should make the borough's case, but they should continue as if they were going to be unsuccessful.