RESIDENTS have voiced their shock at the lack of healthcare plans for a controversial new town in Hampshire.

The 6,000-home Welborne project, which would be based north of Fareham, has been the subject of a series of meetings this week as the public gets a chance to have its say on the plans.

Yesterday health services for the new town went under the microscope, with Fareham council bosses quizzed on which medical services have been consulted.

Independent inspector David Hogger asked Fareham Borough Council to provide clarity on the issue, while Knowle resident Anne- Marie Causer raised her concerns about the lack of detail in the scheme.

The plan currently states that “one or two” primary care centres will be built to house at least eight GP surgeries, but sets out no construction dates for these facilities.

Mrs Causer told the inquiry that she feels there is a lack of information regarding healthcare for the proposed town, with resources already stretched in the area.

She added that her elderly parents have recently moved to the area where Welborne would be built, and this has led her to worry about healthcare in the borough.

She said: “I’m very shocked that there is not more about this in the plan. Can you set it in stone because it seems to be that it hasn’t been properly considered? Do you not have a duty to provide health care to ensure that the residents are well looked after in terms of emergency services?”

And campaigner Jason Mudge argued that waiting times for GP appointments would increase if more doctors were not made available.

He said: “It’s a four-week wait for a GP in north Fareham at the moment, and it’s the worst it’s ever been.

“I would like to challenge where the evidence is that there’s spare capacity because Fareham, as far as I can see, is in meltdown at the moment.”

The session covered topics including health care, education and retail provision.

Plans for the town include 100,000 square metres of shops, a secondary school and three primary schools.

Campaigners protested against the project when the public meetings launched on Tuesday, arguing the new town would create traffic problems and a higher risk of flooding.

Peter Home, a consultant speaking on behalf of Fareham council, insisted the council had done as much research as it could regarding health care.

The examination continues on Tuesday.