A NEW master plan to create nearly 700 homes and a school in the Hampshire countryside has been unveiled.

Developers are preparing a bid to create a housing estate on the outskirts of a rural village already a key battleground of another major homes row.

Plans for up to 680 homes, a new primary school and a shopping precinct near Boorley Green, were revealed at a heated Botley Parish Council meeting.

The vision, earmarked for fields between Winchester Road and Hedge End railway station, was criticised by parish councillors who are already launching a High Court fight against another mammoth development double the size.

But the companies behind the new settlement vow to stand by their vision whether the other homes plan goes ahead or not.

Developers Gleeson Homes, Miller Homes and Welbeck are preparing to submit a joint application for their Boorley Gardens development.

It includes provisions for a two-tier primary school and public square with room for shops and community facilities.

But it comes as Botley Parish Council has applied to be part of a judicial review examining Eastleigh Borough Council's decision to back plans for 1,400 homes at Boorley Green, alongside the Botley Parish Action Group (BPAG).

Planning consultant Jacqueline Mulliner, speaking for Gleeson, Miller and Welbeck, told Botley Parish Council an outline planning application for their development will be launched within weeks.

She told the meeting: “We are responding to need for housing in the area and a suitable site for development which is what we feel is better than other sites being put forward in the local plan.”

She said the proposal - which includes new roads and an extensive network of cycle paths and green spaces - will “stand on its own” in the face of any rival developments.

But councillors complained it will essentially “double the size” of Botley, putting extra pressure on roads, railways, local services and sewage systems.

Councillor Susan Grinham said it will increase “urban sprawl” between Botley and Hedge End.

Chairman Cllr Colin Mercer added: “If either go ahead we feel it's destroying the pleasant location of Botley.

“At the moment the population is optimal but if you take that up you fragment the community.

“We believe there's other sites nearby that can resolve the plan.”