CIVIC leaders last night unanimously refused controversial plans for up to 225 homes and a 60-bed care home.

More than 150 people packed into Hamble Primary School for the crunch meeting.

Residents feared that plans for the homes built on fields off Hamble Lane, in Netley, as well as a 60-bed care home and station expansion, would overwhelm local facilities and swamp surrounding roads.

And residents’ pleas did not go unanswered as civic chiefs voted unanimously to refuse the proposal. Thunderous applause rang out around the hall for each person who spoke against the plans.

When the meeting heard that developers Hallam Land Management had stated the plans would only lead to a “minimal increase” in traffic, this was met with laughter and derision from the public.

The proposals before Eastleigh Borough Council’s Bursledon Hamble-le-Rice and Hound Local Area Committee included a 100-space car park and kiosk/farm shop/cafe at Hamble Station, road improvements and a park and ride facility enabling people to park and continue by train or bus.

Hallam Land Management says its plans would enhance the station facilities and encourage use of public transport while meeting housing needs in the borough.

However, residents highlighted numerous concerns including increased traffic on Hamble Lane, the potential for more accidents and rat runs and pressure on local schools and doctors’ surgeries.

They also claimed there was no need for more housing or a care home and stressed it would destroy the countryside between their communities.

Campaigner and Hound resident Kim Sandom said that with several developments already going ahead this exceeded housing requirements up to 2019.

One resident said the number of rail passengers using local stations at present was “negligible” and developers could not guarantee their plans to increase public transport to take pressure off Hamble Lane would work.

Another resident added: “It’s erosion of green spaces and the environment that defines our villages.”

Eastleigh Borough Councillor David Airey said he was disappointed that the developer had not discussed their plans with the borough council before submitting its application.

He said the disadvantages outweigh the benefits and any jobs created would only be temporary during building work.

Cllr Suzy Hamel, for Hamble ward, said the public response of more than 550 letters had been “amazing” and that her decision was also influenced by the number of council departments still opposed to the development, including highways.

Cllr Malcolm Cross, for Hamble, said: “This will destroy the unique identity of Hamble.”

What residents thought at the meeting:

• Ron Nichols, 68, from Bursledon, vice chair of Bursledon Parish Council planning committee, said: “It’s the right decision. The drainage systems in this area are so inadequate that it’s ridiculous.”

• Keren Haizelden, 65, retired from Netley, said: “I’m pleased about the decision because they can’t really do any development in Hamble Lane until the problem of the traffic is sorted out because things can only get worse.”

• Rosemary Visick, 71, retired, from Netley, said: “I’m very pleased because I think we are losing all our green spaces, it’s overdevelopment. I don’t go to a doctor here but I find everyone I know that does has to wait so long for an appointment.”

• Albert Sanger, 71, retired from Hound, said: “It’s great – I’m 100 per cent behind them. Whether they sustain that when it goes up through government I don’t know, but I’ll be there with the placards fighting it. It’s an ill-conceived plan.”