RESIDENTS have won their battle to stop three blocks of flats described as "modern slums" being built close to their Fareham homes - for now.

Portsmouth Housing Association has been told to go back to the drawing board over plans for 18 affordable homes on a small piece of wasteland between Laburnum Road and Watersmeet.

Planners ruled that there were too many flats for the plot, despite a desperate need for social housing in the borough.

Cllr Peter Davies said: "We have a housing crisis in Fareham, but I'm not convinced this means we should develop modern slums."

Housing chief Cllr Ernest Crouch spoke of the current eight-to ten-year waiting list for two-or three-bedroom accommodation.

He said: "My concern is for the hundreds of people who come to us every year with children but without a roof."

Ten residents and a Fareham Society representative spoke out to urge planners to reject plans they considered to be "flawed".

Their concerns centred around a lack of school places and health facilities and more pressure being placed on already overburdened roads.

The meeting heard that an ambulance had previously had trouble accessing nearby Bosuns Close, children play on the land and that the area already suffers from serious parking problems.

Neighbours complained of possible loss of light, loss of privacy and overlooking. It was said that the 18 short-term let flats, 14 for families and four for single people, would create a 'ghetto' situation. But the land is earmarked for development and is considered "ideal" for housing.