PLANS for hundreds of new homes on a greenfield site in a Hampshire village gas sparked anger.

Plans have been unveiled by Foreman Homes for 250 new homes and a green space just off Romsey Avenue in Portchester in a bid to address the housing shortage in Fareham.

However, the development is just metres from a proposed development on Cranleigh Road by Permission which recently won a planning appeal to build 120 homes on the site after a four-year battle questioning the suitability of Fareham Borough Council’s local plan for housing.

Councillors and residents fear it will threatened a wildlife haven, that is home to Dear Geese who fly in from Canada for the Winter, a protected species.

Councillor Shaun Cunningham, who represents Portchester on Fareham Borough Council said: “I am completely against the site that is being proposed for development.

“It is already a wildlife haven that is home to Dear geese and Brent geese which are protected species so habitats are being lost by destructive developers.

“This site will not even bring benefits to the local community in terms of infrastructure.

“Since the Cranleigh Road Inspector published his decision on Cranleigh Road we now have the potential of developers causing gridlock within Fareham Borough Council planning department as officers try and process this wave of planning applications.”

A poem written by an anonymous Portchester resident described the development as a financial rape.

She wrote: “Rape this innocent land, And when you have finished, Bring death with concrete and drains, Silence the air of wild geese taking flight,

“Who stands to gain from this financial rape?, This smothering of history, It’s not ours to take.”

Another anonymous resident who lives on Cranleigh Road added:”This is the second time a developer has targeted this particular part of Portchester, it’s going to turn this quiet little village into a grand central urban sprawl.”

However, in response, Foreman Homes said the area would be a ‘perfect location’.

A spokesperson said: “This is an opportunity for us to share our proposal for new homes in Portchester and for you to comment on our ideas.

“Prepared in response to the need for new homes to serve Fareham Borough Council, our proposals will be shaped by the public’s comments.”

Residents will be able to take a look at the plans at a public consultation event on tomorrow between 3pm - 7pm at The Roundabout Hotel on Wallington Shore Rd in Fareham.