A PUBLIC inquiry into a blueprint for development in the Eastleigh borough over the next seven years opens tomorrow at the town's Civic Offices.

The inquiry - which is likely to settle the town's long-running war of attrition over allotments and is likely to cost council tax payers more than £300,000 - will examine unresolved objections to Eastleigh's local plan review.

It is expected to last until late September and will include a three-week summer break in August.

Senior inspector Mary Travers will conduct the inquiry, which is set to hear more than 80 objections. Other objections will be dealt with by way of written representation.

Under the microscope will be 12 chapters of the local plan covering a range of subjects such as housing, employment, transport, the countryside, nature conservation, shopping, environmental sustainability and listed buildings.

Most objections to the plan relate to housing and the identification of sites for new development.

Controversial council proposals to build hundreds of new homes on three allotment sites in the Eastleigh town area drew 16,144 objections from 5,011 people and saw a high-profile "save our plots" campaign mounted by allotment holders.

It is understood that most objections relating to the allotments issue will be dealt with by way of written representation - although an objection from the Allotments Association will be heard at the inquiry, probably in September. Consideration of housing issues, which will see over 60 objectors appearing at the inquiry, is scheduled to start in May and continue until September.

Several objectors will be claiming that land in their ownership and currently zoned as countryside should be allocated for housing.

At the end of the inquiry in the autumn, the inspector will produce a comprehensive report which will include recommendations in response to both objections at the inquiry and matters dealt with by an exchange of written evidence.

The council will then have to consider the recommendations and may make some changes to the plan. But the inspector's report is unlikely to be received before early 2005.

Civic chiefs have already agreed to earmark more than £300,000 to meet the costs of staging the inquiry.