BUILDING a new care home directly opposite a busy leisure centre would create traffic chaos, residents have warned.

Plans have been unveiled for a multi-million pound care home in Sarisbury Green, which could create up to 80 new jobs.

Healthcare property company, Prime, is working in partnership with KWL Architects, who specialise in the design of care homes, to draw up proposals for a 75-bed care home.

The proposed scheme would be built on land opposite Holly Hill Leisure Centre on Barnes Lane, which is currently occupied by a private residence and would also include a hair and nail salon and a coffee bar.

However, residents and councillors have slammed the proposals following a one-day public consultation yesterday at Priory Park community centre in Locks Heath.

Caroline Tasmin, 68, who lives nearby Locks Heath, said: “The plans are interesting but I think the area has enough care facilities as it is.

“Traffic congestion would also mean frequent build ups of traffic which have already got worse with the opening of the Holly Hill leisure centre.”

Another resident, who lives on nearby Brook Lane and did not want to be named, said: “Why have it here? I understand the jobs boost, which of course will help get more people into work, but what I don’t understand is having it right opposite a busy leisure centre that is used by hundreds of people every day.”

Councillor Seán Woodward, leader of Fareham Borough Council (FBC) and councillor for Sarisbury, said: “I see two absolute showstoppers for the project. Firstly the land is designated as countryside so is completely contrary to the council’s planning policies and local plan.

“Secondly the highway access currently serving a single house is opposite the busy Holly Hill leisure centre entrance so to add the traffic from a 75-bed rest home would not be safe and I would be surprised if it was supported by the highway authority.”

Bob Smaylen, development director for Prime, said: “Using our expertise in community care facilities we have developed a proposal which addresses the undersupply of high quality care home places in Sarisbury Green.”

A planning application is expected to be submitted to FBC later this year.