CONTROVERSIAL plans for a 6,000-home community in Hampshire have been given the green light by a Government-appointed inspector.

The Welborne plan, which would see thousands of houses, four schools and 100,000 square metres of shops built north of Fareham, was declared sound by inspector David Hogger.

A council leader said he was “delighted” by the decision but last year hundreds of protestors campaigned against the scheme at a public inquiry, while a number of residents’ groups have made clear their strong opposition.

A hot-tempered Fareham Council meeting was held to discuss the plans in January but critics heckled councillors, leading councillor Peter Davies to admit the situation was a “shambles”.

Mr Hogger also declared the council’s development sites and policies plan sound in a report published today.

Councillor Keith Evans, executive member for planning and development, said: “We are delighted that the independent inspector has found these two plans, which will have such a significant effect on the borough, to be sound.

“That means that in the view of the independent inspector our planning officers had taken everything into account that they must take into account, and that these plans provide for realistic and sustainable development in the borough for many years to come.”

 

Both plans will be put forward for formal adoption at a special Fareham Council meeting on June 8 and can be viewed at www.fareham.gov.uk/planning.