TWO Hampshire councils are up in arms over government plans to build thousands of extra homes in the county’s south-east.

New figures released by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) have revealed that Fareham and Gosport borough councils face building an extra 2,665 homes on top of the 12,000 currently allocated in their local plans.

The figures were based on a formula which compared average house prices and incomes in the area and is part of a consultation looking to reform council planning systems to increase the supply of new homes.

As a result, Fareham faces building an additional 1,441 homes on top of 3,300 already allocated in its draft local plan, along with 6,000 proposed at Welborne.

Councillor Sean Woodward, leader of Fareham Borough Council, said: “What concerns me if this finds itself into legalisation then it could give developers a carte blanche to develop where they want.

“As a result, we would have to release a lot more greenfield sites.

“Our officers have spent the last two years determining which sites should go into the draft local plan, and these figures would drive a horse and carriage thorough that.”

Portchester Liberal councillor Shaun Cunningham said: “You cannot keep on putting houses in areas that are completely overloaded, to add more homes in the mix is completely unacceptable.”

Meanwhile, neighbouring Gosport faces building another 1,224 homes on top of 3,060 set aside in its local plan, which was adopted in 2011 and lasts until 2029.

Councillor Graham Burgess, deputy leader of Gosport Borough Council, said: “Where are these houses going to go?

“We are one of the most densely populated areas on the South Coast; we do not have any land to accommodate these additional homes.

“Should they try to squeeze these homes in, it will put more pressure on the transport infrastructure and traffic will grind to a halt.”

Councillor Peter Chegwyn, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition on Gosport Borough Council, said: “Gosport is full; we simply do not have any space for any more housing.

“We will have to improve the infrastructure before allowing any more housing here.

“What we need in Gosport is jobs and business investment, not more housing.”

The DCLG’s consultation runs until November 9.