HIGHWAY chiefs have been told to justify their decision to support a scheme that has raised fears for the safety of New Forest schoolchildren.

Officials have been summoned to a meeting of district councillors, who want to know why they think the proposed development should be approved.

The controversial application is to build 14 homes on a former industrial site at The Quomp, Ringwood.

The scheme is being opposed by residents, who claim extra traffic will pose a danger to children walking to two schools in the area.

But Hampshire County Council, acting in its capacity as the local highway authority, says the proposal should be given the go-ahead.

Now representatives from the county council have been asked to attend the next meeting of the district planning committee to explain their support for the application.

Members decided to issue the invitation after residents and councillors condemned the plan to build extra homes in the area.

Ringwood councillor Jeremy Heron criticised the proposed access to the site and added: "It's a case of when, not if, an accident will occur."

Residents who addressed the committee included Richard Burlton, who also criticised the access and its sight lines.

"Who will get the blame if a child is knocked down and crippled or killed?" he asked.

The Quomp has already been made the subject of a 20mph speed limit in response to earlier safety fears, but Forest West member Ann Drake called for more measures.

She said: "It's a very dangerous road and it's disgraceful that the county council isn't going to consider making it a one-way street."

A report to councillors stated that the housing scheme had resulted in 18 letters of protest, but said the county council had raised no objection to the application and recommended members to approve it.

However, councillors decided to defer the scheme and discuss it again after they have heard the views of highway officials.