A FLAGSHIP Hampshire housing estate unveiled last year to a fanfare of praise has already come in for flak over fears of increasing vandalism, litter and hooliganism.

Tenants living in Bursledon's Pilands Wood have been criticised by local councillors who believe standards are slipping in the area.

The estate - Eastleigh Borough Council's most ambitious and, costliest housing project ever - was only officially reopened in September after a 12-year makeover. The prestige project took £4.1 million of central and local government funds.

Community leaders, councillors and housing bosses lined up to laud the new-found pride established on the estate now run by Eastleigh Housing Associa-tion, Hyde Housing Association and Swaythling Housing Society.

But, only five months later, concerns have begun to build over conditions on the estate.

Hound parish councillor Rodney Cummins highlighted his fears at a meeting of the borough's local area committee. He told the Echo: "There are a lot of youngsters causing residents a lot of trouble and vandalism has been getting worse. Old people are getting worried about going up to the local store and I think there is going to be trouble."

Borough councillor Bill Pepper also had concerns. He said: "It's important for the council to know what's going on and we should be making efforts to improve it.

"Let's not sit here and say we have problems and do nothing. We have a wonderful estate there and we need to make sure that it is kept up to a good standard."

The committee did, however, agree to free up £25,000 for a planned play area, despite the concerns.

But Councillor David Thomas said: "I hope it is not going to get vandalised as we are responsible for maintaining this play area when it is up and running."

The local residents' association has dismissed the concerns as scaremongering, adding that a spirit of co-operation still prevailed on the estate.

Chairman Jim Holland said: "I agree that perhaps the roads have not been swept for a while but that's nothing to do with us.

"People are quite happy with their lot. We do not need this when we have volunteers working so hard here."