PLANS to develop a new neighbourhood south of Romsey with over 1,000 homes could be given the green light.

A total of 1,300 homes could be built between Southampton Road and Luzborough Lane as part of Test Valley Borough Council's local plan.

The development, set to be built by The Ashfield Partnership, would boast a mix of homes where approximately "40 percent of the properties would be affordable housing".

The new neighbourhood would feature a primary school, a community hall and local centre, as well as cycle links to the A27 using a new bridge over the railway line.

Romsey town centre manager, Mark Edgerley, said: "There is an increasing demand for housing in the area and I would encourage people to go along to the public consultation on January 14.

"From my understanding, 40 percent of the properties would be affordable housing like the Abbotswood development.

"The developers have some very exciting ideas of what the neighbourhood might look like and they will be sharing that at the consultation."

He added: "The developer would have also thought through parking and where cars can be parked safely, because there have been issues with a number of estates where they have tried to put parking away from the houses in the past."

"There have been comments on Facebook about not building on that land and that is not an option."

However. residents have also expressed their anger towards the development, claiming the neighbourhood will increase traffic congestion.

One resident said: "Romsey is gridlocked twice a day now and for much longer than ever before.

"Building 1,300 houses means at least 2,600 more cars, so you better make sure the road network around Romsey can cope with it all."

Another resident added: "It's getting ridiculous, we cant drive anywhere as it is without being stuck in traffic.

"We will need a park and ride before long."

A spokesperson from The Ashfield Partnership said: "As with Luzborough and Hoe Lane we aim to make Whitenap a genuinely liveable community to be cherished over the ages.

"We can only build Whitenap once and it must be a place that works for its residents, uniting them with their Romsonian neighbours, and serving the needs of both.

"Hearing and gauging the views of the local community is crucial if we are to explore and deliver the true potential of Whitenap and we look forward to working together."

They added: "Come and meet the team and share your views at the first drop-in event on Tuesday, January 14 between 4pm and 8pm at The Mountbatten School’s Community Lounge, Whitenap Lane, Romsey."