People in a south of Butser community are going back to school as the battle heats up to build 180 homes on farmland in the heart of their village.

A big crowd is expected at Clanfield Junior School next Monday (September 29) as plans to build on Sunderton Fields will be discussed by the parish council from 6.30pm.

The outline application by Windmill View developers Barratt David Wilson seeks to establish the principle of development on the greenfield site between Sunderton Lane, Chalton Lane and South Lane Meadow.

The CPC planning committee can only pass comment as EHDC will have the final say, with the latter facing increasing pressures to build from central government.

There was standing room only at a similar meeting in March while more than 1,000 people have backed a campaign to save the field, with many stressing the need to keep farmland amid concerns about food security.

“We are already crying out for farm fields to grow our own crops and be a self-sufficient country, but we cannot do that if farmland gets build on,” said campaigner, Lois Jasper.

Opponents have also cited the impact more housing would have on “overstretched” local services and views.