ONE of South Hampshire’s biggest housing developments could plunge into chaos over developer demands, it is claimed.

It is feared the 3,500 home North Whiteley development could no longer happen after claims of deadlock between Winchester City Council and developers over how many affordable homes should be on the site.

The proposals, which would include three schools, new shops and 50 hectares of green space, were submitted by a consortium comprising Taylor Wimpey, Crest Nicholson, Bovis Homes and JGP Lakedale.

They were approved by Winchester City Council in October 2015.

Now, Winchester city councillor Ian Tait, who sits on the council’s planning committee said the development could collapse after claiming developers wanted to scrap affordable housing on the site.

But last night the consortium refuted the claims saying they were committed to the plans.

Currently, the consortium agreed to build 575 homes (15%)and pay the council £17.5m to build another 350 elsewhere.

Cllr Tait said: “The developers are certainly playing hardball which could threaten the whole development.

“There are concerns that Bovis Homes could pull out.

“It was approved by the council in October 2015 with 15% onsite affordable housing and a 10% commuted sum worth £17.5m but the fears are that the consortium feels that it is no longer financially viable to deliver the 25%.

“North Whiteley contributes to 28% of our housing numbers in the local plan which will take eight years but the market consensus means that it could be more like 10-20.”

Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) pledged £14m from its growth fund to improve local roads which include extending Whiteley Way through to Curdridge and improving Bluebell Way to provide direct access to the new development from Botley.

But that could also be lost if the development isn’t started promptly.

Councillor Sean Woodward, a LEP director said: “If the development doesn’t commence soon, then it will mean that vital road links will be lost which will spell disaster for Whiteley.”

In response, the consortium admitted there had been issues but that the scheme was still going ahead.

A spokesperson on behalf of the consortium said: “The North Whiteley Consortium is committed to delivering the new homes at the earliest opportunity and has been working effectively with Winchester City Council to achieve this.

“While there are some minor issues which need to be resolved, we are working collaboratively with the local authority and above all, we are committed to proceeding with the agreed plans.”