RESIDENTS got the chance to have their say on a controversial, multi-million pound Hampshire development.

Developers are looking to start work on the second stage of a project which will see 1,400 properties built at Boorley Green in Hedge End, despite it being branded the "worst place" to build that many properties.

They held an exhibition showcasing the development and invited residents to leave feedback.

The exhibition comes as Eastleigh Borough Council approved framework plans to allow up to 20,000 new homes to be built in the borough.

In November 2013, outline planning permission was granted for 1,400 new homes, a primary school and separate pre-school, community sports facilities, allotments and woodland to be built in Boorley Green.

Phase one of the development, which involves 441 new homes, new internal roads and a sewer network, has already been ratified.

A planning exhibition in Macdonald Botley Park Hotel & Spa displayed phase two of the build, which will see 900 homes built as well as a new park and public open space at the former Botley Park Golf Club to the north of the town.

The exhibition came as Eastleigh Borough Council approved a local plan for a further 20,000 more homes to be built in the borough by 2036, along with key roads and infrastructure.

The decision was approved by the Liberal Democrat council despite a 1,200 signature petition against the plan and calls from Eastleigh's Conservative MP Mims Davies to reject the proposal.

Council leader Keith House defended the decision saying the report must be ratified so the final decision for the borough’s future housing needs can be based on “evidence” rather than “emotion”.

The council’s previous local plan was thrown out and the authority was forced to draw up a replacement with its preferred housing sites or the Government would do it for them.

The document considered by the council listed eight different areas earmarked for development – including North Bishopstoke and Fair Oak where it is suggested that 6,200 homes can be built, and north of West End and Allington Lane where 2,250 and another 2,300 homes can be developed.

But villagers claim the housing will destroy their countryside, put pressure on congested roads and lead to their neighbourhoods becoming a suburb of Southampton.

The separate Boorley Green development has also been met with fierce criticism from residents who are concerned with the impact it will have in their infrastructure and the loss of green spaces.

Cllr Graham Hunter from Botley Parish Council, said: "The thing I personally don't like, and we have already represented this, is the building of three storey buildings as they look a lot like barracks.

"We still have reservations about the south entrance access point and will continue to comment on that.

"The view of Botley Parish Council is that we want to get the best deal for Boorley now and in the future.

"The infrastructure around here cannot support that amount of homes and we maintain that it is the worst place to put 1,400 homes, but we have got to get on with it."

A spokesperson for the consortium partners building the development, which are Linden Homes, Bovis Homes and Bloor Homes, said: "The consortium partners are grateful people and elected representatives took the time to view our plans for the new Boorley Green neighbourhood.

"Following the public exhibition, all the feedback we receive will be reviewed and taken into consideration before we submit our reserved matters planning applications in the coming months."