A CHAIRMAN of a fishing club has hit out at plans to build 55 homes in Test Valley.

Chairman of Eastleigh and District Angling Club, David Banks, claims the plans will be a “nightmare” for anglers, who would see increased traffic congestion in Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh.

The 67-year-old fears the “three-storey block of flats” at Stoneham Lakes, will increase light pollution when anglers are there at night.

The plans, submitted by Highwood Homes, would sit in the Old Mansion Site, behind Stoneham Lakes, if given the green light by Test Valley Borough Council.

If approved there would also be 149 parking spaces.

David, from Bitterne, said: “We were told about seven years ago there was a development of 12 high quality homes and on this understanding we sold a small bit of land to Highwood; now they are looking to build blocks of flats and houses.

“They tried to put an application in for 66 homes, which was rejected about a month ago.

“If we have 55 houses with hundreds of cars coming down the road it will be horrendous.

“The road is not big enough to fit so many people and some days we have 80 anglers going to the lakes at all hours.”

He added: “We are going to have a three-storey block of flats placed on the highest bit of the land and it will overlook us completely.

“The light pollution from the flats will destroy the whole area and most of our members go fishing at night when it should be dark.

“We will also have children coming across which could be dangerous and there is currently a six foot fence to stop people falling in the lakes and getting stuck in the mud.

“We had a lady who got her dog stuck in the lake recently and we might have to make the fence higher, but we are hoping Highwood put their own fence up.”

As previously reported land and sales director at Highwood Homes, Simon Beech, said Stoneham Golf Club and the Eastleigh and District Angling Club “wholeheartedly endorsed our proposed scheme”.

However, chairman of Stoneham Golf Course, Nick Clayton, claims they have been “completely misrepresented by Highwood Homes”.

A spokesperson from Highwood Homes said: "Highwood has worked closely with E & D Angling Club throughout and they have always been aware of the proposals."

The application would offer a mix of one and two bedroom apartments, including a number of three and four bedroom houses, as well as one five bedroom house.

The development would also feature a new tennis court located in the centre of the site, a woodland walk and a waterside terrace.

Test Valley Borough Council is due to decided on the application by February 3.