A CONTROVERSIAL housing scheme has sparked claims that the provision of community facilities at Marchwood is failing to keep pace with the village's expansion.

Members of the district planning and development control committee expressed concern about a proposal to build 39 homes on land off Normandy Way, Marchwood.

Totton councillor Robin Harrison said: "Marchwood has become a development area, but its centre is still very much that of a village.

"It doesn't provide the facilities that a growing community needs. I'm unhappy at the way Marchwood is being treated."

The Normandy Way application came under fire from former council leader John Coles.

He said the site was next to an Army railway line, and called for special screening to shield householders from the noise of trains.

New Milton member Ben Earwicker said: "This is a high-density development right up against a railway.

"The applicant is cramming in as much housing as possible without giving any thought to the problems people will have in the future.

"We have got to provide estates that are fit for people to live on."

A report to councillors said other objectors included Marchwood Parish Council, which was worried about over-development and the lack of children's play space.

The report added that Marchwood councillor Nick Smith felt there were insufficient services in the village to support extra housing.

But it stressed that the application, by East Dorset Housing Association, would create almost 40 affordable homes for local people, including key workers.

"The site lies outside the built-up area of Marchwood," said the report.

"However, given its containment between an existing housing area and Marchwood Military Port, the development doesn't represent an incursion into a wider open setting."

Councillors said the scheme would provide much-needed social housing in the village and approved the application.