PLANS for a controversial office block have been given the green light - even though a senior council boss has not yet had his say.

Swaythling Housing Society has been given permission to push ahead with a four-storey head office block on the site of the former Pentagon Garage on Bishopstoke Road, Eastleigh.

Protestors claim the new company headquarters will cause traffic problems and have slammed Eastleigh Borough Council for approving the scheme before hearing from the county surveyor.

Jon Tapscott, of the Over The Bridge Residents' Association, said: "I feel the decision is a poor one.

"It doesn't take into account local residents' views and the report was half-baked.

"Traffic congestion will be caused on a very busy road. They short-circuited the democratic process. It's planning and politics at its worst."

A spokesman for the council said it was perfectly normal practice for planning permission to be granted before all reports from department chiefs had been heard.

He said: "The decision notice will only be issued once all the outstanding comments have been received and agreed by the council's head of development control."

Andrea Taylor, business development director for Swaythling Housing Society, said: "We are aware that the development of our head office on this site will be significant and we are working closely with Hampshire County Council and the environment Agency.

"We have employed a team of consultants including a firm of traffic impact assessment specialists to ensure that we address concerns and meet the requirements satisfactorily.

"As a responsible employer we will continue to look at measures to reduce the impact of car use on the environment and where necessary introduce policies to encourage our staff to use alternative means of transport."