CONTROVERSIAL plans for up to 100 homes on a greenfield site in a Hampshire town have prompted almost 70 objections.

Two charities that own agricultural land east of the A326 in Totton have sparked fury by submitting proposals to build scores of properties on the site.

Critics say the proposed development will create extra traffic problems, increase flooding and place extra strain on schools and other facilities.

New Forest District Council has so far received 68 letters of objection to the scheme - and just one supporting the application.

The 4.4-hectare site, part of a semi-rural area on the northern edge of Totton, is bordered by Loperwood, Loperwood Lane and Calmore Road.

Daily Echo:

The proposed site

Objectors include Totton councillor Dean Britton, who claims the new homes will put roads in the area under enormous strain.

His letter to the council says: "The only vehicular access would be on to rural Loperwood Lane, which is certainly not suitable for the amount of traffic this site will generate.

"The proposed development, together with the 26 new dwellings further along Calmore Road, will create severe traffic congestion and misery for neighbouring residents."

Cllr Britton also says the loss of a greenfield site he describes as a "natural rain-absorber" could contribute to flooding problems in the area.

He adds: "The nearest schools are full. Children living on the new site will have to travel by car to schools further away, producing more car journeys at peak times."

Fellow Totton councillor Neville Penman has also objected to the application, claiming the development will produce an extra 600 traffic movements a day.

But documents submitted with the proposal say the new homes will result in a "relatively low number" of vehicle movements.

They also claim the scheme will improve the flooding situation by ensuring that surface water run-off is "intercepted", preventing it from leaving the site and causing problems elsewhere.

A design and access statement describes the homes as a natural addition to the town that will "successfully round off" the settlement.

The proposal has been submitted by Land and Partners Ltd on behalf of Cancer Research UK and Open Sight, which were left the site in someone's will.

Planning agent Robert Wickham, representing the applicants, told the Daily Echo that highway and drainage issues could be resolved.

Asked about the extra strain on doctors, dentists and schools he added: "Additional services follow once new housing is built."