A MAJOR development blueprint for Eastleigh could pave the way for land-hungry developers to target carefully cultivated back gardens.

The warning has come from a leading councillor who is urging residents to closely study the new version of the local plan which was published recently.

Guiding development in the borough up to 2011, the first draft of the plan was published for consultation in January 2002.

More than 1,100 objections were sent to the council but now significant major changes have been made to the blueprint. They include controversial moves to plant new homes on allotment sites to the south of the town and at Woodside Avenue.

There are also proposals for housing on land at Toynbee Road, Eastleigh and White Tree Farm, Botley Road, Fair Oak.

They will come under the spotlight at a series of exhibitions and the public will be able to quiz council planners.

Deadline for comments is June 25. A public inquiry will be held, probably next year, to hear any outstanding objections to the revised plan.

Meanwhile Councillor Colin Davidovitz has welcomed the opportunity for local people to comment on the plan.

He said: "I do hope that local residents will carefully study these revised proposals for building new dwellings in the borough over the next eight years and grasp this opportunity to write to the council with their comments."

Councillor Davidovitz said the revised plan has excited heated controversy because of the proposals to build new housing estates on local allotments and gardens rather than alternative locations in the borough.

But he feared that people's carefully cultivated back gardens could also be targeted for developers.

Councillor Davidovitz said it was vitally important that every resident and home owner in the borough studied the new local plan and considered the impact that it could have on their quality of life and appearance of their neighbourhood.

The exhibition is being held at The Point in Leigh Road on May 15 from 6pm to 8pm and on May 16 from 10am to 4pm; Swan Centre: May 17 from 10am to 4pm; Fair Oak Village Hall: May 19 1pm to 7pm; Dovetail, Chandler's Ford: May 21 1pm to 7pm; Hamble Memorial Hall: May 27: 1pm to 7pm; St Luke's, Hedge End 1pm to 7pm.