AS acres of land in the South lie under water, Eastleigh councillors have scuppered controversial plans to build a block of flats on low-lying land at Chandler's Ford.

Their decision also comes in the wake of a strong flood warning from the Environment Agency.

And Chandler's Ford councillors have postponed a decision on another planning application to build new homes so they can have round-the-table talks with the agency and Southern Water over flooding fears.

The indication that the tide could be turning over the way decisions are taken on new developments in flood-risk areas came during the meeting of the Chandler's Ford and Hiltingbury Local Area Committee.

Councillors firmly kicked out an outline plan to build a four-storey block of flats at the junction of the Winchester Road and Hursley Road which is close to Monks Brook.

The proposal was first floated in 1993, but Chandler's Ford councillor Margaret Kyrle said it was about time that it was consigned to the bin.

Pointing out that the site was in an area prone to flooding, Mrs Kyrle said: "The water has to go somewhere, and we can see by turning on the TV and reading our newspapers that we are going to have to take that very seriously indeed."

Councillor Bill Furness recalled how many years ago residents in nearby Mead Road had been the victims of "horrendous" flooding.

The strong warning from the Environment Agency came in a report to the local area committee.

Councillors were told that the Agency objected to the proposals to build on the land at the junction of Winchester Road and Hursley Road because "the site was within an area liable to flood.

"The proposed development would result in loss of flow area and thereby unacceptably increase the risk of flooding elsewhere."

And the agency has warned that there would be a risk to the health and safety of residents, and to the emergency services if there was flooding.

Fears over flooding and drainage problems in another part of Chandler's Ford have also forced councillors to have a re-think about a plan to build three detached homes in Valley Road.

Now councillors are to have talks with the Environment Agency and Southern Water.

"We really do need to have all the facts," said the chairman of the Chandler's Ford and Hiltingbury Local Area Committee Grahame Smith.