CRITICS have condemned the choice of venue for a public inquiry that will decide the fate of a greenfield site in Hampshire.

Developers want to build up to 80 homes on rural land at Loperwood Lane in Calmore - but tomorrow’s inquiry is taking place 13 miles away in Lymington.

Campaigners fear the 26-mile round trip could deter objectors from attending, increasing the risk of scheme being approved.

New Forest District Council rejected the original application 13 months ago after receiving more than 100 objections but the applicants lodged an appeal.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the council dropped a bombshell by deciding to offer no evidence at the inquiry following warnings it was likely to lose the appeal, potentially costing taxpayers £50,000.

Now campaigners battling to save the site say they now have even more reason to be pessimistic.

Cllr David Harrison, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition on the council, said: “The Conservatives have decided it is not worth engaging lawyers and having planning officers appearing in front of the inspector and defending their decision to refuse the application.

“I do not know whether the decision to hold the inquiry so far away from Totton is linked to this.

“But it makes it even less likely that objectors will turn up and make representations. I think we all know what the outcome will be.”

People living in the Loperwood Lane area say the proposed new homes will generate too much traffic as well as adding to local flooding problems by covering the “Calmore sponge” with bricks and concrete.

Cllr Harrison said: “I think most people would agree we need more housing. But it needs to be done in a planned way, with thought given to infrastructure, the community facilities that go alongside housing, and how it all fits together.”

A council spokesman defended the decision to hold the inquiry in Lymington.

He said: “We use our own buildings for public inquiries of this sort to avoid incurring venue hire costs.“The choice of Lymington Town Hall over the council chamber at Appletree Court, Lyndhurst, is because the venue is more suitable for a public event, being on the ground floor and wheelchair-accessible.

“People unable to attend the inquiry can submit representations in advance.

“They can also ask a friend or neighbour to speak on their behalf.”

The applicant, Howard Sharp and Partners, has rejected claims made by objectors, saying the scheme will provide much-needed housing.