RESIDENTS in Winchester will have their first chance to have their say on the crucial Local Plan that will shape development over the next two decades.

The council has agreed the draft plan for public consultation.

Councillors raised numerous issues that will be thrashed out before the Local Plan Part 2 goes before an inspector at a public inquiry in 2015.

It includes the need for the district to find sites for houses. The meeting heard that many villages were happy with the public consultation.

In Alresford an alternative plan is being created by residents because they are unhappy about the proposal for 320 houses on land off Sun Lane.

But former mayor Barry Lipscomb said: “Lots of parish councils have expressed satisfaction at the way they have been consulted.”

Deputy council leader Victoria Weston said there had been consultation for 20 months.

At Alresford Cllr Simon Cook said if Sun Lane fell through then other sites in the town would have to be used.