PLANS for a massive 250-home estate on an ex-hospital site are set to go on public display this weekend.

People will be able to view the proposed development on land at the former Coldeast Hospital at an exhibition on Saturday and make their views known at a public meeting later this month.

The scheme has already come under fire from Fareham's top councillor. Council leader Sean Woodward has vowed to press the developer to include a community centre in the plans.

He said: "There is no provision for a community centre but there is a hall on the site so I want to see that turned into the community centre. I also want to see community facilities on the site like a play area and possibly a skate park.

"There does need to be a centre for the community there. This is one of the biggest developments in Fareham we have had so we want to get it right."

Residents will be able to see for themselves what developers plan for the site which has been the subject of applications and appeals for more than ten years.

Originally the company working on behalf of NHS estates wanted to build 700 homes on the site of redundant hospital buildings but that was met with fierce opposition by locals and Fareham council.

Following an appeal, permission was finally granted to developer Inventures to build 250 homes on the site five years ago. A formal application has been submitted to Fareham council for its approval.

However, as part of the deal, council planners insist the plans go before the public to gauge reaction.

Now an exhibition of the proposals will be held followed by a public meeting later in the month where neighbouring residents can air their views.

Cllr Woodward said: "The council insisted the plans were viewed by the public. That is why we are holding this exhibition so people can see what is proposed.

"We will then give them some time to chew over what they think of the plan before we have a public meeting with people from Inventures who will answer any issues raised by residents."

A public exhibition will be held at the Parish Rooms, Barnes Lane, Sarisbury, on Saturday from 10am to 2pm.