RESIDENTS in two villages near Eastleigh could be forced to bury their loved ones as far away as Winchester after revelations that the local cemetery is almost full.

Council chiefs say space is running out fast at Fair Oak and Horton Heath Cemetery - and they currently have no other site to build a new burial ground.

A local farmer has offered to hand over 40 acres of his land to the council for the new site, which could also include a skateboard park and recreational space.

But, in return John Gosney of White Tree Farm, Botley Road, wants three acres of his farmland to be reclassified so that he can build houses.

The proposal is dividing residents and parish and borough councillors

An Eastleigh Council executive meeting heard how the land at Knowle Hill, Knowle Lane, could be turned into a cemetery along with playing fields.

In return Mr Gosney wants the council to reclassify three crop-growing acres.

That would give the green light for him to build 25 to 30 houses on the land, subject to a successful planning application.

Mr Gosney said: "For me to give the parish council 40 acres of land it is fair to be allowed three acres of land to build on in return.

"I don't think local residents will be upset about me developing the area because they will get a lot more open space and recreational land."

Fair Oak and Horton Heath parish councillor Harold Price has hit out at the scheme.

"My main worry is that it would become a millstone around our neck. It's a big undertaking for a parish council," he said.

"We took over Lapstone Farm, also on Botley Road, and there's been problem after problem. The cricket square didn't work out, the football pitch required drainage all the time, and it has been expensive.

"Nobody wants to put the rates up for the parishioners because we have taken on a white elephant.

"If we've got a good business plan and know how much it's going to cost the taxpayers then OK.

"I don't know if people already living in the area would be worried about the new development."

However, Eastleigh borough councillor Roger Smith told the Eastleigh council executive that they had a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Liberal democrat Mr Smith said: "There's no other space available at the moment so local people will have to bury their loved ones out side the area in Eastleigh or Winchester."

The council now had the opportunity to remedy the situation, he said, adding: "In my opinion this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the two villages to gain open space and cemetery land."