TEMPERS frayed at an angry public meeting to discuss the viability of a controversial 6,000-home development near Fareham.

Inspector David Hogger Is leading the independent examination of the Welborne plan, which would include 100,000 square metres of retail space and four new schools on an area of land north or Fareham.

Representatives of Fareham Borough Council, Buckland Development Ltd, Wickham Society, Winchester City Council and Wallington Village Community Association are involved in the examination.

Daily Echo: Members of the public filled the galleries and on occasion burst into sarcastic laughter or shouted over speakers, prompting Mr Hogger to ask for quiet.

He highlighted issues including habitat regulations, the sustainability appraisal, and cross-boundary strategic issues.

Michael Carter, representing the Wickham Society, said: "This whole development is based on a lack of hard data and theres no evidence of people having gathered or measured things.

"The thing that worries me is that the Environment Agency admitted that there's a lack of hard data supporting the sustainability appraisal and a lack of hard data supporting the Welborne plan."

The hearings will continue into next week and tomorrow (OCT 16) the boundary of the proposed development will be examined, along with light, noise and air pollution and housing density.

Daily Echo:

When questioned as to why the suggested number of homes in the project had reduced Peter Home, a planning consultant speaking on behalf of Fareham Borough Council, said: "The number of homes in the Welborne plan are evidence based and we noted that there was a lot of work needed to determine the precise numbers.

"The reduction in housing numbers and changes to the approach were based on the evidence that has been available at the time."

The opening of the enquiry was marked by fierce protests, with hundreds of protesters marching on Fareham council offices from Ferneham Hall.

Campaigners carried placards daubed with anti-Welborne slogans and gave speeches against the development, highlighting concerns including flooding and overpopulation in the area.