AN MP has said he is “concerned” by a planned 2,500 home development in a Hampshire village.

Over the past year, Eastleigh Borough Council has been carrying out a consultation in relation to plans to build 2,500 new homes as part of its One Horton Heath development.

Last month, a planning application for the first 393 new homes was submitted, but now an MP has said he is concerned, raising issues relating to “excessive” housebuilding, the “overdevelopment” of the area and the risk of flooding.

Paul Holmes, Eastleigh MP, met with the chief executive of the council in November 2020 to discuss the plans and has now written a formal letter of objection.

The MP said he does not believe the application is satisfactory and is planning to raise his concerns in Parliament on Monday.

He said: “Lib Dem Eastleigh Borough Council have chosen to act as a property developer with One Horton Heath.

“I have a concern over the conflict of interest that arises from Eastleigh Borough making a profit from this application while also acting as the local authority who grants planning permission.

“These concerns are made worse when I have a report from the Environment Agency explaining that One Horton Heath will make the flooding on Allington Lane worse but the Council are ignoring it. We need answers.”

When asked about the MP’s concerns, Eastleigh Borough Council leader, Keith House, said: “Paul unfortunately doesn’t know what he’s talking about on this, and is just trying to create a scare story.

“All these issues are dealt with as part of planning in the usual way and there will be some very good water features on this development as well to make it very attractive.

“Because of the brilliant local area committee system we have with lots of scrutiny, all the local councillors close to that sight will be part of deciding the planning application, not the corporate centre of the council that’s promoting the development.”

Paul Holmes has now set up an online petition to “fight back” against the plans.