Over 100 angry residents confronted Winchester City planners at a public meeting on Tuesday.

They converged on Otterbourne Village Hall to discuss a controversial proposal to demolish a house in Hurdle Way and replace it with 12 flats and five houses.

The residents argued that the proposed development did not meet government planning guidelines.

Compton Down is classed as a rural area and the protesters are furious that the city council may consider the application as if it were an urban area.

They maintain that the scheme would double the population and the amount of traffic, putting even more pressure on the roads and the limited social amenities.

Other objections are that the design and proportion did not fit in with the surrounding area and the height of the new building would dwarf neighbouring properties.

Residents are concerned that if this scheme goes ahead, it will pave the way for similar developments.

Said Hurdle Way resident, Peter Savage: "The real issue is sustainability. The only facility we have is a playing field. If this goes forward, when do we say no to more."

Ian Tait (St Michael's) said: "It's important to take into account the opposition. This is not right for Compton Down."

Georgina Busher (Bishop's Waltham), added: "I'm very sympathetic to people worried about precedent and I think there are other houses where this could happen.
"We have the same problem in my own village. We must look at the implications of granting anything as big as this on this site."

George Hollingbery (The Alresfords), added: "It's time we had a full-ranging debate on the issue of interpreting government guidelines before we find the district overwhelmed by development that ruins the character of areas like Hurdle Way."