VILLAGERS have stepped up their fight against plans to build on open countryside in King’s Somborne.

Almost 120 residents turned out to a public meeting last week to take on plans for 78 homes, which they fear will spoil the village and pose road safety threats.

The development, on a four-hectare field between Eldon Road and Furzedown Road, would add about 200 residents to the small rural community and would include affordable housing.

Villagers are looking for local experts in planning, media, ecology and campaign tactics to launch a formal assault on the controversial scheme.

The meeting, joined by Romsey MP and former King’s Somborne resident Caroline Nokes, heard concerns about pressure on school places and a precedent being set for further housebuilding.

Critics have previously said country lanes would not cope with extra traffic – especially after Stagecoach axed its bus service for the village – and there would be a greater risk of accidents.

Sandra Rowden said: “I know a lot of people that are against it that weren’t able to go to the meeting – I haven’t spoken to anyone that’s for it.”

She is preparing a website and online petition ahead of Test Valley Borough Council’s planning committee this month.

Ms Nokes said it would be a “tragedy” to grant the scheme.

“This is just a really bad planning application,” she said. “This is just another case of a developer making a speculative application in a village which has already taken development over the years and has grown organically much more than some of the other villages locally.

“It would be a tragedy to spoil the character of what is a really lovely village.”

The scheme, expected to house 200 people, would increase the number of houses in the village by around 10 per cent.

Villagers fear that even if Test Valley planners reject the outline plans, Gladman’s track record of winning appeals could see permission granted by the national inspector.

Residents at the meeting agreed to help King’s Somborne Parish Council draw up a neighbourhood plan which they hope will prevent similar planning applications in the future.