A CONTROVERSIAL housing proposal, if allowed, will fuel further development in the area, a planning inspector was told.

Eastleigh Borough Council set out this message to a packed room as a public inquiry into hundreds of homes at Netley Abbey got underway.

Hallam Land Management is appealing the council’s refusal of a 225-home development with a 60-bed care home and 40-bed care unit.

The inquiry, expected to last six days, heard residents and councillors’ objections to plans for land at Hamble Station, off Hamble Lane.

Opening the council’s case, Paul Stinchcombe QC said if the development went ahead this would “fatally undermine” the council’s bid to prevent future attempts to build in the gap between developments.

He said it would be “fuelling further development within the gap between Hamble and Bursledon and lead to the urbanisation of the Hamble corridor” and harmful development was not a solution to the council’s housing shortfall.

Thomas Hill QC, representing Hallam Land, pointed out the council’s lack of a Local Plan, a blueprint for future development, or a five-year housing land supply, adding the site was sustainable with walking distance facilities.

More than 30 residents, who gathered with banners outside beforehand in protest, attended the Lowford Centre to raise concerns about increasing pollution and traffic on Hamble Lane, loss of countryside and of the gap separating Hamble and Netley Abbey.

As previously reported, Netley Abbey and surrounding areas are subject to nine planned developments.

Daily Echo:

Kim Sandom, 58, of Hound, chair of the Sitting Ducks residents’ group, said these could lead to an extra 1,650 cars on the road.

Sitting Ducks member Heidi Oldrey also told how a number of businesses along the road had told them they were considering whether to stay in Hamble in light of the situation due to transport difficulties.

Council leader Keith House said it had earmarked other sites but wanted to see homes in sustainable locations.