AN EASTLEIGH councillor has been pulled-up for speaking out of turn about a controversial housing development planned for Hamble.

Legal experts say any decision over the Barratt Homes application could now be challenged by developers after local Tory Bill Pepper blasted the plans.

Speaking at the local area committee - which has yet to consider the 94-home scheme - Mr Pepper made clear his opposition to the development on the Ensign Way site, currently earmarked for industrial use.

Council lawyer Paul Cooper warned members that they should keep their opinions quiet until formally dealing with the plan or risk a legal challenge later.

The proposals have already been criticised by locals as "looking like Colditz but without the character". A motion to have the plans put on ice while consultation took place was put to members by council leader Keith House, who does not sit on the committee.

Mr Pepper, angered by what he saw as a breach of councillors' etiquette, said: "I believe we should have been left to deal with our own affairs without the interference of outside people.

"This should have been brought as a planning application. If you go to a public meeting in Hamble you will see they do not want it.

"I am trying to protect Hamble from an unwanted development. I am totally against it and there are over 200 people telling you they do not want it."

Mr Cooper told members that if biased comments were made by a councillor towards an application ahead of the formal planning process, it could be subject to a High Court review.