RESIDENTS have been disappointed after a public enquiry was postponed after they were crammed into a room and left sitting on the floor.

An enquiry which has opened for the proposal of a major Eastleigh development has been adjourned because the meeting room was not big enough to accommodate everyone.

West End residents have spoken out after attending the public enquiry meeting which the inspector was forced to adjourn when he realised there was no room for people to sit.

The meeting was held in a hotel meeting suite and was set to be the first day of a public enquiry into the proposal for 100 homes in Botley Road.

But residents were left sitting on the floor and crammed into any free space of a small meeting room at the Holiday Inn in Botley Road.

Now residents have said they are disappointed that the meeting has been adjourned as more than 50 people were turned away yesterday.

The public enquiry comes after a planning application from Gladman Developments Ltd last year to build 100 dwellings on a plot in Botley Road.

Eastleigh Borough Council rejected the plans, which would include up to 35 per cent affordable housing, structural planting and landscaping, public open space and vehicle access, in September last year.

The site proposed for development is currently used by the Ageas Bowl during major events as an overflow car park and reasons for the planning rejection by the council included the fact it would cause an “intrusive and urbanising impact” on the landscape and “diminish” the strategic gap between Southampton, Hedge End, Bursledon and Netley.

Now Gladman is appealing the decision and a public enquiry has been postponed until September 6.

Sarah Turl, chairman of the Moorgreen Road Resident’s Association said: “I’m very disappointed. I’m also concerned because the inspector is not willing to hold evening meetings which means a number of our residents are not being heard because they can’t attend. Many of us have had to book days of work to be here.

“I am however happy that so many residents did manage to come to show that we feel strongly about this application.”

West End Parish councillor Anne Mortimer said: “It’s about the loss of the strategic gap, being built right up to the motorway and we are a very close community, very active and supportive of each other and we don’t want to lose that.

“I think adjourning the enquiry is probably the most appropriate outcome.”

West End Parish councillor Peter Brown added: “Having got so many people to come to voice their concerns it’s very disappointing to have nothing happen today because of the fact we couldn’t get comfortably into the room.”

Lorraine Healy, a Moorgreen Road resident, said: “I’m disappointed that there wasn’t a room big enough available but it’s encouraging that lots of residents turned up to share their views and were interested in protecting their community.”

The hotel room was previously booked by Eastleigh Borough Council and during the opening of the enquiry Paul Stinchcombe QC, representing the authority told Planning Inspector Jonathan Bore that it had been difficult to find a venue for a two-week enquiry.

Now the inspector has confirmed that the Ageas Bowl has been booked from September 6 till September 9 this year for a week-long enquiry.

He said: “The room was far from ideal for a public enquiry it was uncomfortable and not suitable to continue, we are disappointed and it is not appropriate but an adjournment is the best solution.”