HAVANT MP David Willetts has expressed his hope that the Church of England and developers strike a deal to release cash for community projects in Waterlooville.

Diocesan secretary Michael Jordan with Havant MP David Willetts

He met representatives of the Anglican Diocese of Portsmouth and Purbrook residents to discuss the sale of land near the Ladybridge roundabout so a new road can be built to a planned 2,000-home development to the west of Waterlooville.

The diocese wants to sell the one-acre patch of land to the Grainger Trust and then plough that money into providing pastoral and spiritual support for the fledgling community. But the developers have so far only offered £600,000 for the land, rather than the £1.5m the diocese values it at.

Local politicians, pressure groups and planning officers also want the Church and developers to reach a deal. The alternative would be for Grainger Trust to build a longer southern access road off the A3 south of the Ladybridge roundabout, ploughing through a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC). It would mean walkers and joggers from Purbrook having to cross two major roads to get to their recreation ground.

Mr Willetts said: “It was very helpful to have a briefing from the Church about what they think is the best route into the new development. It’s important to protect existing residents in Purbrook from any more development than is necessary, and the Church has stressed that any money they make from selling the land would go into supporting the new community to the west of Waterlooville. This is a matter for the council, but I will pass on the points the Church made to the council.”

He met diocesan secretary Michael Jordan, residents’ association secretary Pam Cooper, land agent Adrian Organ, planning consultant Mathew Utting, and the vicar of St John’s Church, Purbrook, the Rev Karen Schmidt, on the site of the proposed new road.

The meeting came a week after public concern was expressed about the alternative plans at a public meeting called by the Grainger Trust. Residents told the developers they were unhappy with yet another road junction on the A3, and with the impact their road plan would have on pedestrian access to their allotments, playground and recreation ground.

Diocesan secretary Michael Jordan said: “We’re grateful that Mr Willetts took the time to hear our case, and that he will be writing to Havant Borough Council to impress our views on them.

“Everyone – including the developers - seems to agree that the Ladybridge roundabout is the best place for this road. Placing it further south makes no sense at all and will seriously inconvenience local residents. So we are keen for a deal to be struck, and are willing to negotiate.

“This really isn’t about the Church being greedy. We won’t be spending the money on ourselves: we have said publicly that we will invest any cash we receive for this land in supporting the new community that is being created to the west of Waterlooville. We want to get the best deal that will benefit both existing Purbrook residents and the families who will live in this new community.”

Havant Borough Council is now consulting the public on the formal planning application submitted by the Diocese of Portsmouth to build the road from the Ladybridge roundabout.