A HAMPSHIRE MP has called on housing secretary Robert Jenrick to step into the row over plans for almost 200 homes in Fareham.

Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage wants Mr Jenrick to pull the decision back from appeal and decide on them himself.

She is concerned that if the proposals get the go ahead on an appeal it could close the strategic gap between Gosport and Fareham.

Both Fareham Land LP’s plans for up to 75 houses to be developed on Newgate Lane and for Bargate Homes’ plans for up to 115 houses to be developed on the land at Newgate Lane South have been appealed by the developers.

But Ms Dinenage has now written to the Secretary of State for Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to request that the appeals for two controversial planning applications are recovered from the Planning Inspector.

The plans will now be considered by the Planning Inspectorate due to Fareham Borough Council’s failure to determine the applications within the time frame given.

Due to the strong concerns surrounding these applications, the MP wants the Secretary of State to decide on them himself rather than the Planning Inspectorate.

In the letter, she stressed that new homes should not be built on green spaces.

Ms Dinenage said: “If these plans move forward, I’m concerned that this development could close the strategic gap between Gosport and Fareham, put further pressure on our already stretched infrastructure and further pollution into our air.

“That is why I have written to the Secretary of State asking him to recover these appeals, which would have devastating effects on our area, and take the decision himself.”

A total of 122 people have objected to the proposal.