CONTROVERSIAL plans to put nearly 300 new homes on a Hampshire greenfield site are back on the agenda.

Fareham Borough Council has started a six-week public consultation over the plans to develop the Peters Road site in Locks Heath into a new housing complex.

The move comes five years after the council threw out similar plans to put homes on the land.

Its decision, which came amid widespread protest from local residents about the proposals, was backed by a government planning inspector.

But the council now says the growing need for homes, and in particular affordable housing, in the area means the vacant 20-acre site must be utilised.

Most of the land is already owned by builders Taylor Wimpey, Bovis Homes and Barratt Homes, who want to jointly develop the site "on a comprehensive basis".

Letters have this week started dropping through the letterboxes of local residents, as the council urges them to have their say about the new plans for the area.

A public exhibition has also been planned for the beginning of next month to allow people the chance to look at the proposals in more detail.

Residents today told the Daily Echo they are keen to know more about the plans.

But fears are already being raised about how the infrastructure in the area will cope with such a large influx of new inhabitants.

"You've got a job to get your children into schools as it is," said Ann Markwick, 64, who lives in Peters Road.

"This area is too congested as it is and it's only going to get worse, and what are they going to do about shops?

"I appreciate that it has to be done, but there are one or two issues they need to look at and it's a shame to lose one of the last bits of greenery to look at.

"Look at how badly they managed Whiteley, with only one road in and out. How are they going to get residents of 300 new homes out of the area?"

Another Peters Road resident, George Brown, 69, believes it is inevitable the site will eventually be developed, but is hopeful potential problems will be identified and addressed.

"I'm keeping an open mind until I see the plans, but there needs to be doctors, schools and all the rest of it. Where are they all going to go?" he said.