RESIDENTS have mounted a petition to oppose the council’s plans for its former headquarters, fearing it will effectively become a motorway service station.

Bosses at Eastleigh Borough Council have launched their vision of a retail park for the old civic offices and magistrates’ court site outside the town centre, which they say will bring 300 jobs.

But those living nearby have gathered more than 400 signatures in opposition, believing that the development would lead to extra traffic, anti-social behaviour and become an extra motorway stop off.

As previously reported, the council has submitted plans for the site, off Leigh Road near the M3 slip road, for a retail park complete with a car dealership, two restaurants and office block.

It left the site in a £12.4million move for Eastleigh House, in the town centre, in March 2014.

The site, which sits close to both M27 and M3 junctions, has been reduced to rubble in recent weeks.

Residents are concerned what replaces it will become a meeting place for crowds of youths, see increased amounts of litter and potentially vermin, cause major congestion on already-busy roads, add noise and air pollution and even increase local children’s risks of diabetes and obesity.

Critics also fear the effect of putting such attractions outside the town centre and say the site should help fill the council’s housing shortage.

As previously reported, residents living nearby believe plans include a 24-hour McDonald’s drive-thru restaurant while Conservative opposition leader Cllr Godfrey Olson says he understands a Starbucks coffee shop was planned. Campaigners, backed by Eastleigh MP Mims Davies, say they understand staff at the McDonald’s restaurant in the town centre have been told they will be moving to the Leigh Road site, however this was denied by the franchise, which said it had no plans to close the restaurant.

A McDonald’s spokesperson said: “Whilst there are no confirmed plans for a new restaurant on Leigh Road, very early discussions around the suitability of the site have been considered, but we are unable to comment further at this stage.”

Vicky Mant, 30, a resident of Cherry Tree Court, opposite, and leading the campaign, said they wanted something for the benefit of the community.

She said with Leigh Road one of four areas in the borough where air pollution is above acceptable levels, having people sat at a drive-thru would only make the situation worse.

“It could end up as an extra motorway services which Leigh Road wouldn’t be able to cope with,” she added.

Ms Mant said they had also not had any answers from the council.

The petition can be signed online at ipetitions.com/petition/opposition-construction-mcdonalds-leigh-road A decision by councillors, delayed from November, is expected in March.

Council leader Keith House has said it carefully considered what to build to maximise jobs and income without a negative impact on the town centre.

The borough council declined to comment.