PLANS for a new industrial estate which could create 70 new jobs are set to come under the microscope tomorrow.

Solent Real Estate’s proposals for an agricultural site along Allington Lane in West End were rejected by Eastleigh Borough Council in July 2016.

Now the scheme is set for an appeal hearing.

Last year council planners stated that the proposal represented an “inappropriate” and “unjustified” form of development within an “unsustainable and poorly accessible location”.

The visual impact of the development was also cited as a reason for refusal.

Borough councillor Bruce Tennent said that the impact that the development could have on traffic is the main residents’ concern and added: “In recent years, traffic in Allington Lane has increased in intensity, but without any mitigation put in place to deal with it.

“While some money may be available from nearby developers contributions, Government funding for transport infrastructure is needed before any further development in the lane can be entertained.”

Ian Donohue, speaking on behalf on the applicant, said: “There’s demand for small workshops and units. Eastleigh doesn’t have any industrial unit planned at the moment and has also admitted a significant number of houses but they are not actually providing jobs for those people. If it was developed it could create about 70 jobs.”

A planning inspectorate will now listen to arguments from both sides at the hearing being held at Eastleigh House on July 18 at 10am.