CAMPAIGNERS battling to save a community centre claim proposals to build flats on the site are in breach of planning regulations.

Members of Fareham Community Association are objecting to plans for 20 flats on the Queens Road centre site because they feel it goes directly against national planning policy.

Fareham Borough Council leisure bosses have been trying to find alternative venues for the different user groups for several months.

Centre chairman Audrey Sitch said: "The current plans are a complete failure because they are forcing a large proportion of groups to relocate outside the borough or to close.

"A number of groups are very concerned because of the inevitable hike in fees or expenses."

She added: "At no time has anyone come up with a viable suggestion for the provision of alternative facilities in the town."

Chief planning officer Alan Wells said: "As far as we are aware the vast majority of users have now been relocated. If there is a particular issue users are not happy with we would advise them to contact us."

The council's executive member for leisure, Connie Hockley, said the council had "bent over backwards" to help groups relocate.

"They have been paying such low rates at the centre for so long and now they are paying the same as everyone else," she added.