COMMUNITIES across Hampshire are being split to make up the numbers for controversial election boundary changes, a meeting heard.

The Local Government Boundary Commission is redrawing the map of wards used in council elections to ensure residents are properly represented.

But parts of the New Forest, Eastleigh, Gosport and other areas are being divided despite shared interests and identities, Hampshire county councillors warned.

Cllr Ken Thornber, who lead the Conservative administration's response to the plans, said the commission had entered Hampshire like a "bull bringing its own china shop."

Changes in the New Forest are especially controversial because two large wards face being extended further, with two councillors representing a huge patch.

The council says cutting the number of councillors from 11 to 10 could leave residents of Netley Marsh, New Milton and Bransgore confused over who to turn to if they have an issue.

The council has recommended changes which the Tory leadership said will restore community cohesion.

Cllr Thornber, who represents Brockenhurst, told full council: "I say to the Boundary Commission, listen to Hampshire County Council. We know our county - with respect, you do not.

"They've split 22 villages, four towns and they've required 12 parishes to change their electoral arrangements. They have protected very large divisions with separate communities and they have planned villages to go with towns even if they're separated by tide or rivers.

"Our task has then been to put some order back into the china shop. In our response we've restored 13 parishes to their communities."

The Lib Dem opposition warned cutting the number of councillors from three to two in some wards would make votes less equal and damage politicians running without a party.

They said independent candidates would be squeezed out by the dominant political parties with only two seats up for grabs.

Lib Dem leader Cllr Keith House welcomed the changes, but said: "Democracy should be about an equal vote of equal value and two member divisions make life very, very difficult for many single campaigners, on a single issue campaign in their patch, to fund getting a post."

UKIP councillors said residents were being ignored by officials in London.

Cllr Christopher Wood, representing Stubbington, branded the proposals "a complete and utter nonsense".

He said: "I'm annoyed by not being consulted and I'm even more annoyed that you're going to accept it. It should be rejected outright because it's not good enough, and Hampshire is a damn sight better than this."

The county council's final recommendations were approved on Thursday.

The commission will consider the views of councils before putting its final plans to parliament in April.

To see how the way you vote could change, visit hants.gov.uk.