A DAMNING report into a controversial housing development in Chandler's Ford has labelled a housing association's handling of the scheme "faceless and uncaring".

The plans for the Velmore estate by Atlantic Housing Association (AHA) included ripping down more than 120 homes and replacing them with 235 houses and flats.

When the plans were announced two years ago there was widespread outrage. Residents said they did not want to see their homes bulldozed. They did not want the upheaval of moving.

Then AHA conducted a public consultation exercise during 2005 and 2006 to gauge residents' feelings and to discover what they wanted improved in the plans.

This week an independent report into the handling of that consultation was scathing of AHA. Residents on the estate now have hope that the plans will be withdrawn and fresh ones with their views taken into account drawn up.

The report was commissioned by Eastleigh Borough Council and was drawn up by a Help the Aged consultant.

In criticising the consultation process, report author Dr Dave Clerk said he was inclined to subscribe to the view that the consultation was "handled without compassion" in a "totally matter-of-fact, faceless and uncaring way".

He added: "The evidence that I have reviewed leads me to conclude that the present climate of suspicion and mistrust has been largely brought about by Atlantic Housing itself and is best understood in terms of the single-minded pursuit of its corporate objective to develop more affordable housing."

Now bosses at Eastleigh Borough Council have agreed that Dr Clerk's report should be put before planning chiefs in the town as part of the evidence on which they will decide. A council spokesman said: "The report will give the housing association a chance for a clean break from the past. I hope they will now withdraw all their planning applications, take stock of the report, and work with the Velmore community on a real plan for the future."

Yesterday AHA's new chief executive, Peter Walters, said: "It's imperative to rebuild trust and fully engage with the residents of Velmore and their representatives before deciding how to move forward.

"We need to allow time for meaningful consultation with residents, Eastleigh Borough Council, Help the Aged and other interested parties to see how our plans can be improved to meet the wishes and allay the fears of residents.

"This may well involve putting the planning applications on hold."

Hazel Giles, 68, of Cornwall Road, said: "It sounds like good news, but we will have to see if they mean what they say.

"Atlantic treated us all disrespectfully and clearly didn't care about what the residents thought.

"Now I hope they will actually listen to what we want."