ANGRY parents have slammed a decision to build more than 200 new homes in Whiteley, claiming the move will put further pressure on overstretched local services.

Last night Fareham Council planning chiefs gave the green light to the controversial new housing estate by Persimmon Homes for 215 homes and a new access road in the north of the town, despite objections from locals.

Objections were first raised during a series of public consultations in the town that were staged to give residents a chance to view the plans.

They pleaded with councillors to refuse the application on the grounds that the area, particularly the local primary school, would not be able to cope with extra numbers.

Over the last two years, many local children have been refused entry at Whiteley Primary School because of a shortage of spaces.

Concerned father Steve Collinson, 32, of Camargue Close, whose son was denied a place for next year at the packed school, told the Daily Echo the development would worsen the problem.

"We are in a situation in Whiteley where parents are having problems even getting their children into the local school - this problem will continue if the planning application goes ahead."

Local resident, Tracey Barker, 40, of Lovage Road, said: "The facilities at Whiteley are not sufficient for the population here as it is."

There were also concerns about increased traffic, heavy good vehicles travelling near school sites and the proposed heights of some of the new homes being out of character with the area.

But councillors have decided the new development, to include houses with up to five bedrooms and one and two bedroom flats, should be allowed to go ahead as measures have been set in place to address those issues.

They include, traffic calming measures in the area, the removal of the roundabout at the top of Dickens Drive during the construction period and a reduction in roof height for some of the properties.

Council leader and Whiteley resident, Sean Woodward, said: "The residents will be as pleased as they can be with a development we don't want anyway now that all the quality of life issues have been addressed."