MULTI-MILLION-pound proposals for hundreds of homes and new sports facilities in Totton are expected to be thrown out by councillors this week.

Linden Homes wants to build 188 new homes and additional sports facilities in the town, including a new ground for the football club.

The plans include moving AFC Totton to Little Testwood Farm, Calmore, and building 86 homes on the current ground in Testwood Place.

A total of 102 homes would also be built on the former BAT sports ground at Southern Gardens, keeping the sports and social club and cricket matches on the site but moving Totton and Eling FC to join AFC Totton in Calmore.

The ambitious plans have split the community, with some believing that the plans would offer a bright future for local sport, but others concerned about the impact of new homes.

Opponents to the plans, which are put forward in three applications, took to the streets with placards ahead of Totton and Eling Town Council's meeting when the authority rejected the scheme.

New Forest District Council's development control committee is due to make a final decision on the proposals on Wednesday.

Planning officers have recommended refusal of all three applications on the grounds of loss of open space, more traffic, overdevelopment and the impact on those living nearby.

Strength of feeling Frances Orchard, of Belstone Road, which backs on to the sports pitches in Southern Gardens, has led a campaign against the plans.

She said: "We need to keep our open spaces in Totton as they are. The strength of feeling in Totton against the plans is high.

"Quite rightly, AFC Totton should have an all-singing, all-dancing football facility, but the existing football ground could be enhanced or left as a football field for the kids if the team moves to Calmore."

Linden Homes and supporters of the plans are keeping their fingers crossed that the council will back them.

Michael O'Brien, director of planning and design at Linden Homes, said: "We hope that New Forest councillors will take note of the powerful groundswell of support for these applications.

"We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to give Totton the sports facilities, open spaces and homes it needs."

Paul Maiden, of AFC Totton, said: "Linden Homes' proposals would have assured AFC Totton's progress into higher leagues as we cannot move forward without the proper facilities."