Eagle Star’s claims that the land is classified mostly as 3B or 4 have been challenged by the Government itself, whose own survey classifies the land as mainly 3A. This classification is supported by an independent survey carried out for the Dever Society, which also identifies an area of grade 2 land within the new town site.

More recently, Eagle Star's planning consultants appear to have accepted the mainly 3A classification in the independent surveys. If the new town were to be built, some 1,250 acres of prime agricultural land would be lost.

A considerable acreage of water meadow and field margins are managed under the Government’s Entry Level Stewardship Scheme. The Dever Society funds local work by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, aimed at increasing the local population of stone curlew, an extremely rare bird which nests in the Micheldever area.

The land plays an important role in the thriving life and community of the Micheldever area. Public footpaths and bridleways on the farms which would be affected are used extensively by the villagers. One of the farms is visited regularly by local schools studying agricultural issues. Most of the farm workers on one of the farms which would lose a significant part of acreage have succeeded their fathers and grandfathers. This rural way of life is threatened all over the country, and would be lost at Micheldever if the new town were built.

• Starting with the story so far, our other Market Town briefings look at the eco-towns initiative and the economic & transport implications of a large new town at Micheldever.