A theatre-goer has slammed Fareham Borough Council's "high-handed" treatment of Titchfield Festival Theatre after it was ordered to close a newly-built £1.7m complex.

Titchfield-based photographer Ross Underwood has said the council looks "depressingly ridiculous" over the closure of the Arden building, a 450-seat performance space on the site.

The new building was constructed last year without planning permission - prompting a notice from the authority ordering it to close by February 29.

But the theatre company, which is run voluntarily, maintained that it was allowed to build the new site without prior permission, likening the council's order to "bully boy tactics".

Daily Echo: The new theatre built without planning permission in Titchfield

Now, in a letter to the head of the planning committee Cllr Nick Walker, theatre lover Ross called on the council to work with the theatre and help them to comply in future. 

READ MORE: Fareham council hits back in unauthorised Titchfield theatre row

He said: "I fail to see how Fareham Borough Council has fulfilled its responsibilities here.

"There seems to have been energetic enforcement of rules and regulations, but little attention to the support and nurture of a voluntary body.

"Is it really ‘representing the local people’ or just a small minority, when it has leaned so heavily on this community body?

"There is wrong on both sides, but it is the council that looks depressingly ridiculous.

"Is it not too late for you to dedicate someone to work with the theatre to help them work towards compliance?"

Daily Echo: Performance of Nativity, the Musical by Titchfield Festival Theatre.

The disagreement is the continuation of an ongoing feud between the authority and the theatre company after it was prosecuted for hosting too many weddings at its Great Barn site last year.

Ross went on to say the theatre gives "enjoyment, employment, education and engagement" to the community, adding that he recently attended a nativity on January 9 that filled two-thirds of the new building.

READ MORE: Hampshire theatre company hits out at council after prosecution

The enforcement notice came about when concerns were raised over a lack of parking at the new theatre in May last year.

Council officers attended and were told that work was already underway.

Despite the council warning the theatre, work continued without a planning application. 

Cllr Walker previously said the theatre company is a "tremendous asset to the borough" adding that the council "is supportive of more community facilities, theatres and opportunities for people to get involved".

But Ross added: "The situation should never have been allowed to develop these entrenched positions.

"Who wins if you successfully shut the theatre and bring down the organisation?"