WINCHESTER needs to think hard about the best places for new housing, according to civic campaigners.

The Winchester 2020 partnership has told the city council: “Don’t just look at where to fit new homes in – think about what sort of place we want Winchester to be.”

Winchester 2020 is a union between the City of Winchester Trust and Winchester Action on Climate Change.

The city council is asking people for their views as it develops the Local Plan Part 2, the blueprint for the next 20 years.

Michael Carden, of Winchester 2020, said: “We aren’t arguing against new homes being built.

“We are saying: ‘let’s build new homes in the best possible locations for the future of Winchester’.

“We want Winchester town to continue to be a great place in which to live, work or visit, to grow up or grow old, and to enjoy ourselves.

“In other words our vision for the future is a sustainable Winchester.”

People can comment through the council website by Friday, April 4, or by going to public meetings aimed at each of the Winchester wards and parishes that form the built-up area of Winchester.