A MAJOR housebuilder has sparked fury by closing a New Forest road to help it construct an unauthorised development.

The Hythe to Marchwood road has been shut while work continues on a 31-home scheme that has not been given planning permission.

Through traffic will not be able to use the route until workmen have finished installing a sewer serving the estate.

Bellwinch Homes sought permission for the development last year and received a favourable response from members of the district council.

However, councillors said consent should be withheld until the applicant completed a legal agreement relating to drainage works and the management of open space.

The agreement was signed earlier this month - but has yet to be ratified by the council.

Waterside residents are furious that the road has been closed to complete a scheme that has not received formal approval.

Pensioners on a mobile home site at Church Farm Close, Dibden, say bus services have been suspended during the closure, leaving them cut off. Keith Shurety and his wife Kay claimed the closure was causing problems for old folk who needed to visit their GP or go shopping.

Mrs Shurety said: "People who don't have cars are having to take taxis because the nearest bus stop still in use is too far to walk."

Other people hit by the closure include owner of the Pilgrim Inn in Marchwood, Ron Longman, who said: "My trade is down 40 per cent, especially at lunchtime. I'm applying for a rates reduction to cover the period of the closure because my rates are based on turnover."

Drivers who would normally use the Hythe to Marchwood road are having to take the A326, which bypasses the two villages.

Marchwood Parish Council has received complaints about the road closure and the alternative routes that drivers have been told to take.

Parish clerk Margaret Bernard said: "A lot of it is to do with the diversion past the infant school, which people think is inappropriate."

Head teacher Maureen Green said: "I've asked parents not to park outside the school when collecting or dropping off their children and they've been brilliant.''

The Bellwinch estate will be discussed at next month's meeting of the district council's planning committee. Members must decide if the scheme should be given permission following the signing of the legal agreement.

Bellwinch issued a statement which said: "We apologise for any inconvenience caused while these essential drainage works are being undertaken. The works have been approved by the Highways Agency, and should be completed this week. The development will provide much-needed housing in the area, including homes for rent."