CAMPAIGNERS trying to stop a concrete jungle engulfing their allotments have warned that a controversial housing development would turn the River Itchen into an open sewer.

Lakeside Area Residents' Association (LARA) said plans to build up to 425 flats in Eastleigh's strategic gap will overload a sewage system which is already unable to cope.

The news follows reports in the Daily Echo that Chickenhall Sewage Works has twice spilled screened sewage into nearby fields recently.

Councillors were outraged when Southern Water applied for permission to pump excess storm water into the River Itchen during times of heavy rainfall.

LARA chairman David Marsh said that if plans go ahead to build homes over the Monks Way allotments, the extra sewage will have a devastating impact on the River Itchen.

He said: "Chickenhall pumping station is a good machine but it doesn't have the capacity to cope at present.

"If we add 425 homes, which will be closely coupled to the existing 12-inch pipe, the system will be massively overcharged.

"Southern Water has said it's permissible to pump effluent into the River Itchen. If they're pouring sewage in there, it's going to be an open sewer. It's frightening."

Councillor Keith House, leader of Eastleigh Council, said Southern Water would have to deal with the problem. He said: "There's a significant issue about drainage in Eastleigh and the water authorities will have to deal with it."

He added that the water company's plans to pump sewage into the River Itchen were "completely unacceptable".

He said: "I'm appalled that they are suggesting that as a way of dealing with the problem when what they need to do is invest in a long-term solution."

A Southern Water spokesman said the screened storm water contained only diluted amounts of sewage.

She said it was essential to pump the excess water into the Itchen during times of prolonged heavy rainfall to prevent back-up into people's homes.

But she confirmed the current system could not handle extra material from the proposed flats.