RESIDENTS came out in force to call for proposals to build 900 homes and a primary school on land east of Basingstoke to be removed from the upcoming local plan.

As previously reported, government calculations suggest as many as 17,820 new homes need to be built in the borough by the end of 2039.

Borough council documents reveal that the authority needs to build 7,703 houses more than it currently has in the pipeline.

It's part of the update process of a document called the local plan, which sets the rules surrounding the development of the borough and can be used by developers as a blueprint on where and how to build houses.

READ MORE: Borough council's plan to slow down house building debated

The borough council’s current target of 850 homes a year, which is based on a national formula set by the central government, would be cut to under 700 each year for five years from 2025 under a fresh ‘stepped trajectory’ approach put forward by the new administration. 

This was discussed at the council’s economic, planning and housing committee meeting held on Thursday, September 7.

At least 70 people including members of the Old Basing and Lychpit Environment Campaign group and residents protested outside the council building ahead of the meeting.

In the east of Basingstoke approximately 1,500 homes, education facilities and a neighbourhood centre are proposed.

This will include approximately 900 homes planned for land located to the northeast of Basingstoke directly to the east of the Chineham Shopping area, Lillymill Chine and the A33.

It would stretch from Redlands House and Redlands Lodge in the north down to Pyotts Hill/Bartons Lane in the South.

Those who joined the protest hoped to encourage these plans to be removed from the local plan altogether and protect the River Loddon.

SEE ALSO: Plan to slow down house building unveiled by council

Nick Harris, the spokesperson for the group, said: "I think that the people of the parish of Old Basing and Lychpit are quite knowledgeable about that area of land because they know, in particular, how lovely it is for them to be able to enjoy it.

"Not only that I think that they think it is their duty on behalf of all of Basingstoke to make their voice heard because they know that other people of Basingstoke come out here as well."

He continued: "I hope that voices will be heard and that the concept of east of Basingstoke is dropped completely."