MORE than 700 people have signed a petition opposing plans to drill for oil close to homes on a farmland site in Hampshire.

Now the paper mountain, collected in less than one week, is to be presented to Hampshire County Council leader Ken Thornber with the heartfelt message: "Say No!"

Cllr Thornber has the power to kill the scheme before it even starts going through the normal planning process next month because the county council owns the land

Northern Petroleum has applied to the county for planning permission to carry out exploratory drilling at a site off Woodhouse Lane on the border of Hedge End and Botley.

The plans, which include a 36m mast and 24-hour drilling for up to seven weeks, have been met by fierce opposition from residents of nearby homes and parents of pupils of Berrywood School less than 400 metres away.

The scheme will be up for discussion at a council meeting in Hedge End tonight.

The petition was organised by Eastleigh's prospective Tory parliamentary candidate, Conor Burns, who lives in Hedge End.

He said: "We wrote to the residents of the area affected and sent them a petition form plus a freepost envelope to send it back.

"I had a deluge of calls just over a week ago from local residents who were concerned about this application. I met some of the residents and asked how I could help in a non-political way and we came up with this idea. I was able to put some of my office support behind their campaign."

Mr Burns said he would now be backing the residents' calls and urging the county council leader to kill the application.

"I don't think it is appropriate that oil drilling should take place on anyone's land so close to a school and a major residential area. I don't care by what means the application is killed, so long as it is killed and Northern Petroleum do not drill for oil here in Hedge End."

Prospective Labour parliamentary candidate for Eastleigh Chris Watt said the development was "completely unacceptable".

He added: "I applaud the work of local campaigners and I am happy to work with them in opposing the plans."

Liberal Democrat candidate Chris Huhne said: "I very much oppose it. Not only is it inappropriate it is totally unnecessary - they could easily get to the oil deposit from another site."

Local campaigners' spokesman Peter Burford said: "We are delighted with Conor's efforts. We think it shows the depth of feeling there is over this matter. We would urge anyone that hasn't yet sent back a petition form to take action, make a difference and object."

The planning application is due to go before Eastleigh Council's Hedge End, West End and Botley Local Area Committee tonight at Hedge End's 2000 Centre and Mr Burford said: "We are hoping for a big turn-out."

Eastleigh is being asked for its views on the planning bid, although Hampshire County Council is the planning authority for minerals and waste.

A report from Eastleigh planning officers is recommending borough councillors to object to the scheme because of the impact on nearby householders, the school and users of a public footpath.