A MAJOR phase of development at a designer village near Fareham could be stopped in its tracks after complaints from parish councillors.

The housing developer Berkeley Homes has applied for planning permission to complete phase five of building at Knowle Village.

The company wants to erect 33 homes contained in two and three storey blocks at the new village. The blocks would include two three and four bedroomed accommodation.

The plans also include an area of open space with a play park for children. But Wickham parish councillors have hit out at the scheme. They've objected in writing to planning chiefs on Winchester City Council which has the ultimate say-so over the scheme.

The locals fear that the fledgling community will be overrun with new residents and will not have sufficient facilities to cope with them.

The concerned councillors want development halted until community facilities such as a chapel and village shop are built.

They also want more affordable housing provided on the trendy new estate and more parking for the isolated development.

A worried resident has added his voice to the calls by writing a letter to planners.

He fears that the water pumping station will be overstretched. The application will be considered by Winchester planners on Wednesday.

Planners have recommended that the scheme be approved and have stated in an official report: "It is considered the amended proposal complements the character of the area.

"The comments raised by the parish council with regard to the provision of community facilities is a separate matter and can not be used to hold up a decision on this application.

"There is no provision for affordable housing on this site. Officers share concerns over the provision of affordable housing throughout the site, and have raised this with Berkeley Homes."

Outline planning permission was granted in 1997 and renewed most recently last October.