CONTROVERSIAL plans to build thousands of new homes across a Hampshire borough are facing delays.

Opposition councillors in Fareham have called in a decision to take Fareham Borough Council’s draft local plan to a six-week public consultation, citing the plans as “unfair for residents”.

As a result, the document will now be scrutinised in greater depth at a special council meeting next week.

The plan, which allocates more than 3,300 homes to be built in the borough by 2036, has already come under fire from residents who protested outside the council last Monday.

Councillor Roger Price, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition, has been critical of the council’s plan.

He said: “It is not a fair allocation of housing across the borough and it’s unbalanced because Warsash, Portchester and Stubbington are taking the brunt of the development.

"There is also no guarantee of money being made available to fund vital infrastructure for these houses.”

Councillor Shaun Cunningham, who represents Portchester East on the council added: "It is about time all councillors started to listen to residents and put their party allegiances to one side.  

"The residents will have their 6-week consultation, it may be a week later while some councillors try and bring about a better plan, a fair plan."

But councillor Sean Woodward, the council’s leader, said: “The decision taken by the Liberals has gagged the residents of Fareham and prevented them from having their say on the plan.”

A spokesperson for the council added: “Fareham Borough Council has confirmed receipt of a notice to call-in the decision taken by the executive last Monday to publish the draft local plan for consultation.

“That means that until the call-in has been considered and actioned as appropriate, the decision to consult on the draft local plan cannot be implemented.”