AN INQUIRY into a controversial new town in Hampshire has exposed “very significant shortcomings”, says a group of campaigners.

The group launched the attack after public examination of the Welborne plan, which would see 6,000 new homes built on land near Fareham, had closed.

After the inquiry had finished the Wickham Society, Wallington Village Community Association, The Fareham Society, The Funtley Village Society and CPRE Hampshire issued a joint statement condemning the proposals.

David Walton, on behalf of all the groups, said: “It is abundantly clear that a number of fundamentally important issues are yet to be resolved.”

John Adams of developers BST Warehouses Ltd said: “What the joint developers take confidence from is that the underlying economical need for new homes in south Hampshire has been identified for well over a decade.”

David Hogger, appointed by the Government to examine the plans, will consider any modifications and advise Fareham council.