THERE is no denying the depth of feeling against the proposed giant Welborne housing development earmarked for land near Fareham.

Yesterday’s public examination into the proposals to create a 6,000-home community just north of the M27 was well attended and many residents made their opposition known.

As hearings of this kind go it was good natured but the hostility towards the new ‘town’ that is being considered was strong and appeared to have plenty of backing across a wide age group.

The objections went along well-trod paths of similar proposals in recent years: concern over traffic congestion, loss of green fields, and, a more recent concern, the increased risk of flooding.

It will be for the inspector to decide what is in the best interests of the region as a whole and whether the objections hold water. But if he is minded to turn down the proposals we will once again be faced with the question: where will our new homes be built?

The recent dramatic hike in house prices has again started the debate on how we can create the enormous numbers of new houses and flats that our society needs.

If the decision is to leave Welborne alone in rural splendour then we must still answer the question: what are the alternatives?