Residents gave their views as a housing company held a public consultation event to outline plans for the next proposed phase of development at Chickerell – a huge scheme to include more than 500 homes and a school.

The Persimmon development for the east of Chickerell – with a proposed access off the Chickerell link road at the bottom of the Granby Industrial Estate – is the next stage in the ever-growing community.

Discussions to build there have been ongoing for years and the site is in the local plan for residential development.

A consultation event was held at Willowbed Hall in Chickerell yesterday and was well attended by members of the public.

Carole Caple, Chickerell resident, said: “It doesn’t matter what I think does it because it will still go ahead. I am concerned about the road becoming a rat run and causing loads of traffic to come through the estate and the blind corner will be very dangerous as well. "We need infrastructure and jobs if we have all these extra people.

A resident who only wanted to be identified as 'Ann' said: “It doesn’t matter what we think really because it’s all already decided before we get there. The roads in this plan are too narrow to take these houses. I appreciate why they are doing it but the roads and infrastructure is not there but obviously they are going to build a nice new road.”

Another resident, 'Ruth' said: “We live in the area and what I think we need is more green space. The green space here is not big enough to throw a ball for a dog. We need a park, a proper one.”

Mark Chevis, head of land development at Persimmon, said: “The feedback has been generally good so far. The event has been well attended and generally people are pleased with the significant community benefits including the school, financial contributions and the affordable housing.

Ian Gardner, portfolio holder for planning at West Dorset District Council, said: “I was involved back in 2004 when this was first proposed and it has taken until now to get to this stage and there is still a long way to go."

A planning application is due to be submitted in due course.

Persimmon says residents who were unable to attend the exhibition and who would like to give their views can email soco.land@persimmonhomes.com or by sending any written comments to Persimmon Homes, 100 Wickham Road, Fareham, PO16 7HT.