TWO Hampshire schools will have to be enlarged at a cost of more than £1.2m if plans to build 300 new homes are approved.

Hampshire County Council is threatening to object to the proposals unless the applicants agree to help fund the cost of expanding the schools.

Bloor Homes and a local landowner, Barker-Mill Estates, have applied for permission to redevelop a large area between Totton and the M27 motorway.

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But the county council says extra classrooms will have to built at Calmore infant and junior schools if the scheme goes ahead.

In a letter to New Forest District Council it says: "The proposed development of 300 dwellings would be expected to generate a total of 90 additional primary age children.

"The (Calmore) schools are at capacity and are forecast to remain full in the future. Consequently additional places will be needed and a contribution is sought from the developer."

The letter says three new classrooms - one at the infant school and two at the junior school - will have to be provided if the homes are approved.

It adds: "Without a contribution the county council, as the local education authority, would object to the proposal."

The applicants want to build the homes on land north of Salisbury Road, Calmore.

Several people living near the site have lodged objections, but the scheme was supported at a meeting of the town council's planning committee.

Critics of the proposed development say it will create extra traffic problems as well as increasing the strain on GP surgeries and other services. But supporters say it will provide much-needed housing in an area where many people currently have little or no hope of owning their own home.

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Bloor Homes and Barker-Mill Estates hope to start work in 2022 if permission is granted.

In a statement they said: "Barker-Mill Estates and Bloor Homes are aware of Hampshire County Council’s recent comments on education provision in the local area.

"These comments, along with all the responses relating to the planning application, will be considered and discussed as part of the ongoing planning application process."

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In another statement issued earlier this year they said: “We are delighted that following on from an extensive consultation with the local community, councillors and planning officers, we have submitted our outline plans for the development of land north of Salisbury Road.

“We are pleased with the response to our public consultation, with over 2,400 people viewing our proposals through our dedicated website.

"Our outline application will provide up to 300 much-needed new homes, including affordable housing, a range of public open spaces, road and transport improvements as well as funding towards the improvement of local facilities.

"Our plans will make a considerable contribution to meeting the housing needs of the New Forest district."