THERE were rowdy scenes at a meeting as councillors gave the green light to controversial plans to turn offices and a court into fast food restaurants and a car dealership.

Residents, who had organised an 885-signature petition against the project, shouted "disgusting" at councillors at the Eastleigh Local Area Committee as they gave approval.

The proposals will see a car dealership as well as two fast food restaurants with drive throughs and offices with parking for them on the site of the former Eastleigh Borough Council offices and magistrates’ court in the town’s Leigh Road.

The exact restaurants have not yet been decided as the plans have been put forward by the council itself, not a potential developer.

Buildings on the site have since been demolished and boards placed round it.

Cllr Paul Bicknell, who chaired the meeting, had to ask the audience to be quiet four times as residents shouted from their seats during the meeting.

He threatened to ask members of the public to leave if they continued.

The site is next to several listed buildings, which planning officers said were some of the oldest in the borough.

Concerns were raised about the environmental impact of having to fell trees in order to accommodate the new buildings as well as the amount of litter that could be created because of the new fast food outlets.

Residents were also worried that as the fast food restaurants were on a route used by schoolchildren and it would encourage unhealthy eating.

Caroline Pearce, 45, one of the founders of the Eastleigh Local People group, said: “It is disappointing but not surprising.

"It seems like a missed opportunity to take the lead on healthy eating and they have not addressed my comments on climate change issues.”

Vicky Mant, 30, the other founder, said: “We brought up a lot of valid points which were all shot down.

“We can at least try and do something about the restaurant options and the opening hours.”

The sales and marketing manager added: “This is not over.”