PEOPLE power looks set to win the day over a controversial scheme to build 28 flats at Chandler's Ford which locals feared could swamp their narrow road with even more traffic.

Earlier this year, 40 residents of Mead Road banded together to call on Eastleigh planners to draw up a development brief before any decision was taken on the scheme.

The outline planning application for the flats was set to tidy up an unkempt and prominent site at the junction of Hursley Road and Winchester Road.

But access to the land was shown via Mead Road, plus a new bridge over Monks Brook - which sparked residents' fears that adjoining land in the same ownership could be opened up.

Locals said they were not against the flats but were worried about the access, the possible volume of traffic and the paucity of parking spaces shown on the plans.

Pointing to their narrow carriageway, Mead Road householders said a lot of houses did not have off-street parking spaces while the road was also heavily used by parents delivering and collecting Chandler's Ford Infant School pupils - raising fears about access for emergency vehicles at peak times.

Local borough councillor Margaret Kyrle backed the call for a development brief and has now revealed that new plans have been drawn up for development of the site.

She said: "The plan has not yet been submitted to the council for approval, but the residents have been given a preliminary showing.

"This time the plans show the access will be from Hursley Road - the Mead Road residents are extremely pleased, and I think it is marvellous." Mrs Kyrle said the agent for the landowner had presented the latest plans to a special meeting of residents, and the local feeling was one of relief.

"The developers have had talks with our planners and the county surveyor. The feeling is that Hursley Road isn't ideal for an access - but the county surveyor has said he will be satisfied with the 60ft sightline."

Some people still did not want to see flats built on the land, and Mrs Kyrle said she would want to see the comments of the Environment Agency because there were "grave reservations" that the land could be subject to flooding. But, she added: "The overwhelming feeling of the Mead Road people was 'Thank God the access is not coming down our road.'"