PLANS for a vast retirement village are a step closer to becoming a reality.

A new retirement complex in Eastleigh would include a 40-bedroom care home, 42 care suites and 91 independent living apartments in Eastleigh.

It would involve tearing down existing buildings and converting a coach house and granary at North Stoneham Park in Stoneham Lane.

Residents would have access to a restaurant, gym, hairdressers and swimming pool.

Cinnamon Retirement Living and Highwood Homes made a joint proposal to Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) and Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC) last November.

It was given the green light by EBC when the local area committee met last Tuesday.

The Southern Area Planning Committee for TVBC will decide whether to approve the plans on Tuesday, June 23,

Straddling the border of the two boroughs, the plans have faced fierce opposition.

Representatives from Stoneham Golf Club say the retirement village does not fit with the Test Valley local plan.

A club spokesperson previously said: “The proposals ultimately conflict with the local plan policy to deliver houses within the allocated area only.”

The spokesperson also says the development would urbanise the area.

Stoneham resident, Robert Bryan, has also slammed the application. He said: “At ordinary commuter times there are already significant traffic delays to and from the M27 junction 5 to Chestnut Avenue and Passfield Avenue.

“The road presently struggles to cope with the volume of traffic and the North Stoneham Park is barely lived in.”

He added: “Road safety is being compromised by overdevelopment.”