Residents not happy with plans to build hundreds of homes in Overton

As previously reported, eight sites have been earmarked for major development by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council including in and around Overton.

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

READ MORE: Eight sites in Basingstoke where new homes to be built

The plan includes a ‘stepped trajectory’ approach, put forward by the new administration, which will see the current government figure of building 850 homes a year, reduced to under 700 a year from 2025 for the first five years of the plan.

Residents can now have their say on the plans as a public consultation is under way.

A Gazette reporter attended the first of the consultation events held on Wednesday, January 31 at the Overton Community Centre where residents expressed their concerns about the plans.

Around 340 homes are proposed to be built on the formal Portals site, located near Overton Railway Station, which was a working mill for a hundred years until as recently as 2022.

It was the topic of conversation among many residents at the meeting including Eric and Glynda Thompson, who live near the site.

Eric and Glynda Thompson (Image: Newsquest)

Glynda, 75, said she was born in Overton and is sad to see that so many homes are proposed. 

Eric told the Gazette the pair have lived in Overton for at least 54 years and said the area has no capacity for any more houses.

The 74-year-old added: "My main concern is that the village will not have the infrastructure to build 20 homes let alone 340 homes."

SEE ALSO: Basingstoke local plan to move forward into public consultation stage

He continued: "Station Approach will not have the capacity to cope with the houses."

Glynda said it already takes ages to get a GP appointment and is worried about what would happen if Overton had a bigger population.

Eric also said he has worked as a builder and isn't against housing but "the village simply isn't bigger enough".

The pensioner shared concerns that food shops in the village won't cope, including the Co-Op.

He added: "They already charge extortionate prices and its only a small shop so where are people going to shop."

Popham Garden Village is another site proposed on land at Popham Airfield, with approximately 1,400 homes expected on site within the plan period.

A new village centre is proposed, with a sufficient range of facilities and services to ensure that the community’s day-to-day needs can be met.

An employment area offering a range of business opportunities is also expected to play a key role in encouraging the Garden Village to be as self-contained and sustainable as possible.

Peter Mason (Image: Newsquest)

Peter Mason, 79, lives in Steventon, near the proposed site, he said: "Where I think this is all wrong is the traffic how the hell is the traffic going to come off the A303 which is going to be the only way they will come."

READ ALSO: Testbourne Community School downgraded following Ofsted report

He said the roads around the site are not suitable for vehicles.

He continued: "When they bring a lorry in towards Steventon it already blocks the road completely. It is a little lane and it will not cope with this sort of traffic.

"If we reckon there will be around 1,400 homes you have to multiply that by two just for cars going in and out.

"This garden village is absolute nonsense, it is no more a garden village than I am a bus conductor."

A council spokesperson said: "The draft Plan allocates a brownfield (previously developed) site at Overton. The site would provide homes to meet housing needs over the period to 2040, while also helping to support local facilities. The consultation at Overton was well attended and gave us the opportunity to hear from local residents about any concerns they have about the draft proposals and explain the proposed approach.

"The draft Local Plan must be founded in evidence and is supported by a number of technical documents including an interim transport assessment. This and all the documents in the draft Local Plan can be found through our website at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/LPU-have-your-say. The council is keen to hear the views of local communities and is encouraging people to give their feedback before the consultation closes on Monday, March 4."