A HAVANT BOROUGH COUNCIL is to plough ahead with controversial proposals to build on greenfield sites despite opposition from residents.

Planning officers at Havant Borough Council have drawn up a list of sites suitable for housing – and these include greenfield sites previously off limits to developers.

The majority of homes will be built in areas where there is already housing but about 2,000 will be put in areas of green gap – open spaces that separate towns.

One of the most controversial areas is the Emsworth gap, which separates Emsworth and Westbourne.

At a meeting of the council’s executive last night, councillors launched a six-week consultation period.

Residents have been told to make their voices heard.

The borough needs to find space for 6,300 new homes in the next 20 years.

St Faith’s Ward councillor David Guest said: ‘I stress that this is open to public consultation and it is consultation that we want.

‘The officers must find potential sites, we have an obligation to do that from central government. They have gone through this with a finetooth comb. I dare say a lot of them will raise a lot of public debate.’

The plan for the Emsworth gap concerns 17 acres, home to tawny owls, buzzards and foxes. It is one of several sites protesters are fighting to keep.

John Briggs, chairman of conservation group Bosmere Hundred, said: ‘We’re very unhappy about building on greenfield sites and we’re very concerned about any infringement on the local gap.’

Like all local authorities, Havant is drawing up a Local Development Framework, which decides where houses can be built.

There will now be a series of exhibitions. People can look at the plans and give their opinions. The consultation will run from March 14 to April 25.