In a meeting today with Councillor David Harrison, Chairman of Totton & Eling Town Council, bosses at Lindon Homes have revealed that they would like to develop a housing estate of about 100 homes on the area that is presently occupied by the social club and football pitch.

Lindon Homes have not actually purchased the site from B.A.T. They have agreed to sign a contract, subject to getting necessary planning permissions. In recent days, they have had preliminary discussions with representatives from the football and cricket club.

The preferred plan of Lindon Homes is that they develop part of the B.A.T site, that they purchase the football ground of AFC Totton (off Testwood Lane) and also develop this for housing whilst both clubs are relocated to recreational land at Testwood House Farm. Both of the latter land holdings are owned by Trusts. There are likely to be strong obstacles to overcome including, public opposition, getting planning permission and restrictive covenants.

Councillor Harrison has told bosses at Lindon Homes that he does not want to see a situation whereby the BAT ground is simply closed to existing users. He has also explained that any loss of remaining green open space in Totton is very unlikely to find favour with local councillors.

He says "We both recognised that there is strong pressure to sort something out, for the benefit of existing users of the BAT site. It is also fair to recognise that Totton AFC have strong ambitions to develop. For my part, I don't want to see any more major housing development in Totton. I suggested to Lindon homes that they might do better to consider putting forward less ambitious plans in terms of developing housing, perhaps coming up with a range of options that they could put out to consultation with the public and stakeholders".

At Councillor Harrison's suggestion, Lindon homes have agreed to consider alternative plans, perhaps detaching the proposals for the areas of land they have an interest in. They have also agreed to consider setting up a web-site with updated information on their plans and a forum for public comment and ideas.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to keep up good lines of communication.