A WEST End resident says he's already a "prisoner" of traffic, as he opposes plans for the Ageas Bowl development.

Terry Butler lives on Moorgreen Road, less than a mile from the cricket ground.

"If you try to leave around 5pm, you can't get out," he said.

READ MORE: Plans lodged for 185 homes, hotel and care home at Ageas Bowl

"Traffic is (already) a nightmare every single day, and it is getting worse.

"We are already prisoners of increased traffic due to over development."

Earlier this month an application was validated by Eastleigh Borough Council for a massive development at the venue, the home of Hampshire Cricket.

The cricket club is making plans for 185 new homes, a care home and hotel as well as other buildings and changes to the stadium on Botley Road.

But Terry says that traffic on the road is often already "bumper-to-bumper".

The 83-year-old told the Echo: "Traffic comes down from the motorway, and people drive down from the motorway, see the road is blocked, and then cut through Sainsbury's car park, so people can't get out of the supermarket car park.

"Often queues along there are bumper-to-bumper along Botley Road, from the Ageas Bowl to West End.

"A trip from Hedge End to St Mary's took an hour the other day. Lots of residents around here are up in arms."

He added that the plans undermine the council's commitment to maintain "green space" around Hedge End.

"The council has always said this is a green space, between Hedge End and Botley. They have always said that.

"They said they would always prevent Hedge End and West End from becoming one entity. It's only the M27 separating them now - in effect, it's only one entity," he said.

The plans were first outlined in February this year.

They also include adding more than 900 car parking spaces to the area, a 142-bedroom budget hotel, and a three-storey independent living complex.

There are also plans for a new wellbeing centre for "small-scale health-related issues", a gym, pharmacy and Pilates studio.

The application is open for consultation until October 21, with a decision expected by December 6.

Eastleigh Borough Council and the Ageas Bowl have been contacted for comment.

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