A NEW consortium has put together a plan for two new "urban villages" east of Basingstoke to cope with future housing needs.

Called the Basingstoke East Consortium, the group is proposing two villages - which include industry and housing - with a new country park between them.

They will be built between Chineham and Old Basing. The plan is being advanced as an alternative to the controversial "Oakleystoke" scheme proposed for the Manydown Estate for 3,000 houses to the west of Basingstoke.

However, the new scheme has generated its own controversy.

"This is an unacceptable development," said Alan Reed, chairman of the rural lobby group Country Watch, which fights development in the Loddon Valley.

"We do not think this is an appropriate place to put a new town. Old Basing is the jewel in Basingtoke's crown. It would be destroyed if it was surrounded by developments.

"If we had the town extended to the east there would be thousands of people using Old Basing as a short-cut to get into town."

Mr Reed also warned that the housing was proposed on a flood plain.

The new villages would be centred on Hodds Farm and Lodge Farm - previously identified for development - and will sit either side of the new Loddon Valley Country Park.

Paul Boyfield, spokesman for the consortium, said: "The villages will contain a range of social and community facilities, employment opportunities and their own schools.

"A new science/employment park is proposed close to Chineham to ensure Basingstoke's economic well-being for the future.

"The proposal is designed to meet the long-term needs of Basingstoke as identified in the Hampshire County Structure Plan and which are now being incorporated into the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Local Plan.

"The emphasis will be on people walking, cycling and using public transport rather than using private cars. To achieve this objective new dedicated bus, cycle and pedestrian routes are proposed together with a new railway station at Hods Hill and two park-and-ride car parks on the A30 and A33."

The proposal comprises an initial phase of about 2,000 homes with appropriate facilities. However, there is scope for further development.

The existing woods will be retained and significant areas will be planted with trees to regenerate the ancient Forest of Eversley.

The consortium is made up of the King's Fund medical charity, Alfred McAlpine Developments and Persimmon Homes.

Their plan was on display in the town centre on Saturday during the council open day as part of development proposals for the Local Plan.

The consortium's planning consultant Steve Melligan said: "The Basingstoke East proposal is an imaginitive way of accommodating the future needs of Basingstoke, which will ensure the town will continue to prosper over the coming years.

"The consortium is still discussing its scheme with local groups and other bodies and is open to any constructive ideas.

"The alternative scheme on the council-controlled land to the west of the town would mean development within the gap between Oakley and Basingstoke - "Oakleystoke" would become a reality."

The consortium describe their plan as "a vision for Basingstoke."

Cllr Martin Biermann, who sits on Chineham Parish Council as well as the borough council, said major developments such as the new scheme and Oakleystoke are not the way forward.

"I think we should be concentrating on smaller scale developments instead of large-scale ones," he said.

"It is important that any plans are discussed fully so if people move in to new houses they know what to expect and are not suddenly having things dumped on them like a motorway or an electricity sub-station."