COUNCILLORS have given the green light to up to 62 homes to be built on Hampshire countryside.

They approved the proposal for the site at Providence Hill, in Bursledon despite some fears raised by the public.

The land in question is an area allocated for housing in the new Eastleigh Local Plan, a outline of how land is to be used in the borough up to 2029, which was submitted to Government in the last fortnight.

Seven people have objected to the plans, but councillors on the Bursledon, Hamble-le-Rice and Hound Local Area Committee approved it with conditions.

The council officer's report prior to the meeting said there would be a loss of undeveloped land and trees.

But it said the development, put forward to Eastleigh Borough Council by Bryan Jexeph Consultancy Ltd, would also have benefits which outweighed the disadvantages.

These include more private and affordable housing, open space and improvements to the footpaths and jobs during construction.

Concerned residents had pointed to possible problems with congestion, drainage, loss of countryside, increased noise, insufficient school places and its effects on views.