THE BATTLE over controversial plans to build a Waitrose superstore is hotting up.

There are just two weeks left before councillors decide the application which could change the face of Chandler's Ford.

D-Day will be on November 9 when the scheme goes before a special meeting of the borough's Chandler's Ford and Hiltingbury local area committee and, if necessary, another special meeting of the full council immediately afterwards.

A borough council survey which drew more than 3,500 replies has revealed that local residents are split over the issue with almost 45 per cent backing the scheme and 43.5 per cent against.

Prospective Tory parliamentary candidate for Romsey, Paul Raynes, blasted Lib Dems after touring the site at Fryern Hill and hearing claims they had praised Waitrose in the local press and had distributed pamphlets supporting the application.

He said: "I am amazed at the way this application is being handled by the Lib Dems. This is an arrogant disregard of planning practice."

Meanwhile, Eastleigh council Tory leader Godfrey Olson is set to call for the decision to invite every borough councillor to the special Chandler's Ford area meeting to be reversed.

He also claimed arrangements for a special council meeting immediately afterwards was calculated to intimidate the local planning committee.

He said: "The Waitrose application is one of the largest we have had in the area and is likely to have a significant effect on Chandler's Ford in general and local people in particular.

"It should be given very careful consideration. The views of local people should be heard and the application determined by the committee to which the powers have been devolved."

But Grahame Smith, Lib Dem chairman of the local area committee, said: "We haven't made up our minds. We didn't say we supported it in our publication. What we said was on prosperity grounds it could be a great benefit to the area but we would have to get the traffic management right.

"This is why councillors have asked the county surveyor to talk to the local area committee. I'm still concerned about the traffic and remain to be convinced - but we will wait and see after the county surveyor's visit."

He said it was right to have a full council meeting, adding: "It is in everybody's interest - the residents, the council and, not least, the applicants - that we get a decision either way as quickly as possible. This has been hanging around since July. In my opinion, while everyone is there, it would make sense to arrive at the decision on the night."