HAMPSHIRE'S top politician has attacked government plans to allow thousands of extra homes to be built in the county over the next 20 years.

The leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber, said the council was being "railroaded" by central government into giving planning permission for more houses in the county, without cash being provided to pay for transport infrastructure.

The council is currently obliged to permit 6,030 homes in Hampshire every year. But the latest structure plan for the south-east could see the council forced to allow 7,040 houses per year between 2006 and 2026 - a rise of 20 per cent.

Housebuilders may even be allowed to build up to 8,450 homes over the next 20 years. The figures were revealed in a draft plan drawn up by South East Regional Assembly for growth in the region in the next 20 years.

Councillor Thornber said the assembly's proposals "flew in the face" of proper consultation and that the government's scrapping of the planned Light Rapid Transit light rail project between Portsmouth and Fareham meant the transport infrastructure for extra homes was not in place.