CONTROVERSIAL proposals for a technological and research park that would provide an HQ for the pioneering Leukaemia Busters could be kicked out by Eastleigh planners.

It would be a major blow to the Southampton-based scientists who have been on the brink of a breakthrough in curing childhood leukaemia.

The Leukaemia Busters laboratory and administrative facilities would be the centrepiece of the proposed park in the Pitmore Copse area of Allbrook.

But tonight Eastleigh's local area committee is being recommended to refuse permission for the application by P G Construction Limited to build three blocks of two-storey research and development buildings with 100 car parking spaces.

In a report, planning officers say the proposals go against policies in the Hampshire county structure and Eastleigh's planning blueprints.

It would also lead to a development outside the urban edge, they say.

In their report, planning officers say they appreciate that the development would provide accommodation needed by Leukaemia Busters.

But, they add: "It is also clearly a commercial venture providing two additional research and development blocks."

However, planning officers also say the local planning authority might have been in a position to view the application more favourably had the proposal been for a single building for sole occupation by the charity.

Drs David and Bee Flavell, from Southampton General Hospital, have been spearheading research into a cure for the illness that claimed the life of their ten-year-old son, Simon, in 1990.

Leukaemia Busters says it needs bigger facilities for national clinical trials for a pioneering drug to combat the killer disease.

Dr David Flavell said he was very disappointed by the planners' recommendation.

Asked if this would be a major setback to the research work, he said: "It is going to make it that much more difficult."

A year ago, the plans were unveiled during a stormy public meeting at which angry Allbrook villagers accused developers of "tugging heart strings" by making the charity's research work the centrepiece of the proposed technology and research park.

Residents were worried over increases in traffic and the danger of Allbrook losing its identity if the countryside strategic gap was swallowed up by development.