A GIANT controversial distribution park on the outskirts of Southampton has been given the go-ahead.

An eerie silence rang out in the city’s council chamber as councillors last night gave the green light for the complex in Test Lane, Redbridge.

More than 60 residents who had packed the public galleries to protest against the 24-hour development left muttering to themselves.

The development next to the Daily Echo offices will create hundreds of jobs in distribution and warehousing.

Evander properties signed an agreement to buy the 16-acre site from the council.

It is currently a field but under the plans would be transformed with three new buildings – two storage and distribution units and a third for industrial use which Evander claim will create 750 jobs.

In August, the city council’s planning committee deferred a decision on whether it would give the plans the go ahead but did vote to turn down the recommendation to approve the application that was before them.

It follows residents fears about extra noise, air pollution, traffic, pressure on parking as well as loss of green space and flooding risks leading them to hand in a petition with 188 signatures to the council The new proposals being considered last night were recommended for approval by officers.

But Eugene McManus, chairman of the Redbridge Residents’ Association, told the meeting the development will still be “imposing” on a residential area due to its size, 24-hour operation and increased air and light pollution.

He also said there is inadequate parking for the 750 employees and measures to address traffic including creating a chicane to control vehicle flow did not go far enough.

But Neil Dickinson from Evander said the developers have twice reduced the building’s heights, increased open public space in a “linear park” and banned vehicles from turning left into the site from the south.

He said: “We’ve engaged, listened and acted on constructive suggestions from residents.”

The council’s planning committee ratified the scheme and panel chairman Cllr Mike Denness said: “I sympathise with the residents and understand their concerns but i am more comfortable with this application than previously.”