HAMPSHIRE MP Julian Lewis said it would be "outrageous" if the government approved proposals to build a £600m container port at Dibden Bay before a report on an alternative site is published.

Dr Lewis said it was vital Transport Secretary Alistair Darling studied the findings of a public inquiry into

similar plans at London Gateway on the River Thames.

He spoke out following strongly-denied rumours that ministers had decided to give South-ampton-based dock owners Associated British Ports' controversial Dibden Bay scheme a green light.

New Forest East MP Dr Lewis said: "It would be outrageous if the government decided to destroy Dibden Bay and the quality of life of so many waterside residents in advance of receiving or considering the report into the alternative.

"The report of the London Gateway inquiry is expected to be delivered to the Department for Transport in the next two weeks.

Now the Conservative MP has tabled five Parliamentary questions demanding

assurances the government is not due to make an imminent announcement and covering the proposals for creating a national park in the New Forest.

The Department for Transport dismissed reports as "pure speculation".

Associated British Ports claim Dibden Bay is vital to protect the city's long-term future as a premier port.

But the scheme is bitterly opposed by environmental and local groups, who say the plans would destroy vital wildlife habitats and un-acceptably increase traffic on local roads.