A CONTROVERSIAL move to build homes on an Eastleigh school's playing fields was today set to clear a major hurdle.

Hampshire County Council wants to sell off the land to developers and plough the cash into a million-pound makeover for Nightingale Primary School.

A total of 32 homes would be built on the site, off Chestnut Avenue.

Feelings have been running high on the estate surrounding the school with residents fearing that it will open the floodgates for more development and add more cars to an already congested area.

Parents have protested over the proposals because they fear that the loss of land would mean their children would lose valuable sports facilities.

Today the county council's buildings, land and procurement panel was considering the scheme which will create an early years centre.

A total of £522,000 has already been earmarked for a scheme to convert the existing former infant school into a early years centre.

The panel is expected to recommend that the policy and resources approve the proposals.

In a report councillors will told that a review has revealed that improvements are needed in special educational needs and mainstream nursery provision in the Eastleigh area.

The early years centre is part of a £1.3m plan to consolidate the primary school in the former junior school building.

It is estimated that a substantial proportion of these costs could be met through a proposed land sale of part of the existing school site for residential development.

This says that report has been identified as surplus to requirements.

If the plans go through work is expected to start on the site during July and be completed during December.