PEOPLE in Rowde have expressed their concern that three sites in the village have been identified for new homes, despite the opposition of the landowners and villagers.

Ed White, of Kennet District Council's forward planning and transportation department, told a meeting in the village last Thursday that 7,000 homes have to be built in the Kennet district by 2011.

Although 4,000 have already been built, are under construction or have planning permission, and the Local Plan accounts for another 500, the remaining 2,500 homes will have to go on infill sites between existing properties, windfall sites where existing buildings become redundant, or greenfield sites on previously undeveloped land.

Mr White explained that, under a new Government directive, local councils have to search for sites.

But, he said, identification of the sites would not necessarily mean that planning permission would be granted.

He said: "The purpose of the study is to establish a total capacity for development, and individual sites will not be identified on any official documents which would fall within the scope of searches. Therefore, property values should not be affected."

Four sites were shown to the meeting, only one of which, the garage at the Bromham end of the village, met with general approval.

One of the sites identified was between Springfield Road and Devizes Road, which is in multiple ownership and currently used as gardens. It has no access.

Another is a site on Cock Road, belonging to farmer Audrey Brown. She told the meeting she had no intention of submitting any development proposals.

There was opposition to the bakery site, behind the post office on the High Street, being included because villagers feared development could threaten the existence of the post office.

Residents expressed concern at the way the survey had been conducted, without the knowledge of the landowners involved, and about its ultimate purpose.

Parish chairman Graham Maslin said the council would welcome further comments in writing.

These must be submitted immediately, because the deadline for replying to Kennet District Council is imminent.