PLANS for the future development of Alresford are being drawn up by the town council.

A council meeting heard a town plan would ensure Alresford could meet the future housing need required by Winchester City Council.

Cllr Paul Waterworth, who leads the town plan working party, said: “We have to accommodate 400-500 extra dwellings in Alresford over the next 20 years. The working party is leaning more towards a town plan than a neighbourhood plan which is more expensive and time consuming.

“Winchester City Council is happy to work with us to develop the town plan and at the end of the day if we do not like what we get then we can go back to the neighbourhood plan.”

One of the key issues the working party is focusing on is the future of Perins School, with the plan set to recommend the school move to a site east of Sun Lane.

The existing site would then be developed with a new doctor’s surgery built and a new commercial development set up at the bottom of Sun Lane with access from a new junction with the A31.

Other needs identified by the plan include a new nursing home for the elderly, improved school facilities and new housing at The Dean, while preserving the characteristics of the town.

Cllr Waterworth confirmed the local parish councils had been invited to contribute ideas for the plan and that two meetings were being set up to consult with the general public.

The first meeting will concentrate on housing and employment and is held at the Alresford Recreation Centre in The Avenue at 7.30pm on Thursday, May 17.

Then starting at the same time on Thursday, June 21, another meeting would examine transport, traffic and parking.

City councillor Kim Gottlieb, who represents the Itchen Valley, has agreed to chair both meetings.