COUNCIL chiefs could decide to fight the Government’s decision to approve a massive sports and housing scheme that sparked a wave of protest.

Hazel Blears, secretary of state for communities and local government, angered campaigners by supporting plans to build new sports grounds and nearly 200 homes on three open spaces in Totton, as reported in yesterday’s Daily Echo.

Her decision flies in the face of council planning policies that aim to protect the area and could spark a legal challenge.

Council bosses will hold a meeting at which they will examine the minister’s ruling and decide what, if any, action can be taken.

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Under the scheme, AFC Totton will move to Little Testwood Farm, Calmore, and its existing ground at Testwood Park will be used for housing.

Totton and Eling Football Club, based at the former BAT sports ground in Southern Gardens, Totton, will also transfer to Little Testwood Farm.

Totton and Eling Cricket Club will remain at the BAT ground but the rest of the site will be used for housing.

Countryside campaigners took to the streets and raised petitions signed by almost 3,000 people after the plans were revealed in 2007.

New Forest District Council rejected the scheme amid fears that part of the proposed development would harm the strategic gap between Totton and Southampton.

But the applicant, Linden Homes Southern, successfully lodged an appeal.

Totton councillors Alan Weeks and David Harrison are particularly concerned about the potential loss of Testwood Park and part of the BAT ground. They are urging the town and district councils to consider legal moves that could save the two sites.

“If we can’t challenge this, we will be losing two very large areas of green open space,” said Cllr Harrison.

The issue was raised at yesterday’s meeting of the district council’s planning and development control committee.

Chairman Pat Wyeth said: “The reasons for refusal mostly concerned the loss of existing open space and the principle of development in the gap between Totton and Southampton.

“Unfortunately, contrary to our planning policies, the secretary of state has allowed the appeal.

This decision has serious planning implications and the council will have to consider its position.”

However, the minister’s ruling has been welcomed by AFC Totton, based at Testwood Park since 1933.

Chairman Alan Davis said: “We’re delighted with the decision, which means we can stop spending needless money and effort on our existing ground.

“We hoping our new home will be built in the next two or three years. What’s really exciting is that the scheme includes an allweather pitch that can be used for training and made available to the community.”