Plans for 1,100 homes, a new school, care home and shops in Stoneham Park have been approved by Eastleigh Borough Council

The £70m 1,100-home development on the outskirts of Eastleigh had provoked nearly 150 objections.

But it was approved unanimously by Eastleigh Local Area Committee councillors.

The North Stoneham Park complex, put forward by developer Highwood, will include a new primary school, nursery, care home, community centre, shops and play facilities on the 84-hectare site south of Chestnut Avenue, near to junction five of the M27.

Lakeside Country Park will be extended.

Eastleigh Borough Council, which owns the site, alongside Highwood and the county council, has earmarked the historic park land site south of Chestnut Avenue for housing for several years.

Concerns raised on the night by some of the 60 residents who attended, included increased traffic on already heavily congested roads, the effect on air pollution, loss of park land, sewage capacity, risk of flooding, water resources and the effect on wildlife.

Some also questioned the level of housing need and building in the countryside gap between Southampton and Eastleigh.

Mark Latham, of the Eastleigh Labour Party, who described the development as speculative and ill considered, said this was an example of building in the gap between Southampton and Eastleigh.

He said: “This is a domino and it’s going to be used against us.

Past councillors have protected that park land – that was their legacy and I would like you to consider what will yours be?”

Margaret Atkinson, chair of Chandler’s Ford Parish Council, said: “We have significant concerns as to the impact this development will have on the gap between Eastleigh and Southampton. It will make travel at peak times very difficult.

The traffic at peak times is gridlocked now.”

Another resident said the development was too large and would have a “catastrophic” effect on Stoneham Lane.

John Bray, representing Highwood consultant team, said the developer would produce a high quality sustainable development that respected the existing character of the landscape.

He also said a recent planning inspector’s report on the local plan had indicated Eastleigh needed more homes.

David Curtis, church warden at St Nicholas church, in Stoneham Lane, speaking on behalf of North Stoneham and Bassett parish, also welcomed the plans saying it would provide a growing congregation for the church.

Cllr Paul Bicknell admitted it was a “scary development” but argued that it would actually open up more open space and woodland to the public and provide better sporting facilities.

He said that it would deliver much needed housing, what was proposed for the historic buildings was positive and more people would be aware of the area’s history.

He said that the road and the development would bring improvements to the roads and sewage network.

Cllr Steve Sollitt said he did not take planning decisions lightly but he did not think this development would impact negatively on his community, adding: “if we don’t take the issues we’re given and get a grip on them we’ll end up worse off ”.