RESIDENTS who spoke out against a 230-home development at a planning appeal have been told they could face a minimum wait of five months for the result of the inquiry.

Planning inspector Douglas Machin has been hearing evidence on whether or not the proposed Cranleigh Road development in Portchester should go ahead.

Counsel for appellants Gudgeon Developers Ltd and opposition Fareham Borough Council have been putting forward their arguments concerning the development at the three-day appeal.

Gudgeon wants a Fareham council refusal of the controversial plans overturned.

The council rejected the application for the new homes last year.

They came down on the side of more than 350 residents who objected to the plans on the grounds that it would ruin a green oasis in a rural part of their community.

'Affordable'

However, Gudgeon has been pushing for the application to go through by arguing it will contribute towards the borough's affordable housing quota - with about 50 per cent of the units being given over to affordable housing.

Residents were also given their chance to speak against the development at the appeal at Portchester Community School which began on Tuesday.

Campaigning resident Stella Bell, of Cornaway Lane said: "I am not sure what the result will be. The inspector praised all the residents for their evidence which was reassuring. But we will have to wait and see - and it will be quite a long wait. The fight is not over yet."

The result of the appeal is expected to be announced by September at the earliest.

Appeal inspector Douglas Machin said: "I will prepare the appeal report for two weeks which will then be submitted to the government's departmental office Government Office for the South East.

"It is a process that will take several months."