ODIHAM Parish Council is to submit its neighbourhood plan to Hart District Council.

The decision was reached during an extraordinary meeting at All Saints’ Church by six votes to two.

The plan drawn up by a steering group outlined potential housing which would go toward meeting Hart’s needs for the area, as it looks to meet housing targets up until 2032.

Points raised against the submission included the “changing sands” under the feet of the parish council, with it recently told that the planned C2 care home would not count toward the housing target, meaning more homes would need to be found elsewhere around the village.

Hart’s decision to review the plan every five years also led to fears about the number of houses needing to be built in the future changing frequently and making the plan unsustainable.

Speaking in three-minute slots to provide their argument for and against, first to speak was John Fleming who said the council had “everything to gain and nothing to lose by submitting the plans to Hart”.

Next was David Stewart, who said: “I’d like to thank the steering group for the work put in, it has been something to behold. It is a mighty fine plan. And a thank you to the community for their engagement and making our job relatively easy.”

Jeremy Fellows, the most ardent supporter of submitting the plan, spoke with gusto which was followed by applause from the residents in attendance.

“I don’t think I have worked with a more inspired group of people in my life. It must be into the thousands of hours of work, e-mails and arguments. I wholeheartedly support this plan. Once it is with Hart it will be a milestone, and once there we will be as good as home and dry.”

Mark Faulkner, who was the first to oppose the plan, said: “The plan is unfinished and has not been presented to councillors as a finished plan. You are asking us to submit a document which is unfinished and incomplete.”

Richard Harris, was also vocal in his reasons behind wanting to hold back on delivering the plan to Hart.

“I will be glad when this is over," he said. "It has been my worst experience as a councillor. There has been negative, unnecessary interference from SPAG.

“This was sent to 100 per cent of residents asking for the opinion, and shame on those 90 per cent who did not respond.

“It is focused on history. Housing is important but there is little in there on affordable housing for the young and those young people who have lived in Odiham and want carry on living in the village. There is no social housing.

“There is nothing on parking, as if it is okay already. Expansion of schools? Where are the school buses going to park?”

John Bell also came out in support of the steering group and kept his argument short and to the point.

“They did a good job making this a balanced plan and I think it is worthy of my support,” he said.

And Craig Worboys, who joined the council during the process of putting the plan together, had some points of concern but overall came out in support of the submission.

“I’d like to have seen the young community engaged more, but it is clear that did not happen.

“Things like play parks installed, parking issues, and helping the high street.”

James Robinson-Gianassi, council vice-chairman, who was taking the meeting in the absence of chairman Jon Hale, said: “Thank you to the steering group and the public for their input over the last few months, and also to the office and the clerk.

“I had scepticism over the plan ever being able to reach its aims between now and 2032.

“As we were approaching our conclusion, the sands shifted under us, for example the announcement of a five-year review. I do not like the news of the C2 care home and the news that it does not count towards the housing goal.

“However, if we don’t find the solution ourselves, Hart will, which is why I vote to proceed with the plan.”

The plan is now subject to some final formatting before being presented to Hart District Council.