MULTI-million-pound plans to transform three open spaces in a Hampshire town were rejected today.

A developer had submitted proposals to provide Totton with 188 homes on two sites and a new ground for the town's football club, AFC Totton.

However, all three applications were unanimously rejected at a meeting of New Forest District Council - despite attracting hundreds of letters of support.

The schemes were thrown out after countryside campaigners criticised plans to build on open spaces, saying the town was already short of greenfield sites.

They also claimed that the proposed new homes would generate too much traffic.

Linden had applied for consent to provide AFC Totton with a new ground at Little Testwood Farm, build 86 homes on its existing ground at Testwood Park and construct 102 properties on part of the former BAT sports ground in Southern Gardens.

Linden warned councillors that surviving sports facilities at the ground could be lost to Totton if the company's plans for the site were rejected.