HOUND residents are hostile to plans for hundreds of homes in fields close to their village.

Traffic fears dominated a public meeting to discuss plans for 600 homes on a 64-acre site west of Hamble Lane separating Bursledon and Southampton.

Barratt Homes and George Wimpey are behind the proposal, which would also includes park- and-ride site for 850 cars.

A health centre, a care home, a country park and public open space are also included.

The proposals were given a cool reception earlier this month at a public meeting called by Bursledon Parish Council.

Christmas decorations festooned the Hound Parish Hall in Butlocks Heath where villagers were able to air their views at a public meeting.

But there was little festive cheer towards a move which could lay the foundations for one of the biggest housing developments seen in the area for decades.

Number one concern was traffic, with fears that the Hamble Lane area could become even more gridlocked.

With 600 homes planned, plus a park-and-ride car park for 850 cars, there were fears that this would unleash more than 2,000 extra cars on the already heavily congested road network.

One villager said: "It is only going to get worse.

"Putting in traffic lights will not make any difference to the roads. They are already gridlocked."

Mr Steve Wilks, Barratt's managing director, said that proposals to enlarge the roundabouts and for a full traffic signal system at the Windhover roundabout would lessen the traffic queues.

One of the major aims of the scheme was to improve the efficiency of Hamble Lane. Many villagers were not convinced that it would go anywhere near to solving the traffic problems and accused developers of living in "cloud cuckoo" land.

Residents also questioned the need for 600 houses and were concerned that by building in the strategic gap Old Netley would lose its identity.

There were some who expressed qualified support of the plans but the final decision is down to Eastleigh Borough Council.

Tomorrow night it is the turn of Hamble villagers to have their say on the subject at a similar public meeting.