CAR trouble could hit the next stage in the development of a purpose-built village near Wickham.

Fareham council planners say there are not enough parking spaces in the design for the second phase of the scheme on the site of the former Knowle Hospital.

They claim a lack of shops or buses in the village mean people will need to rely even more on their own transport.

It could hit residents being lined up for the affordable housing within the £150m project, officials have warned.

Fareham Borough Council leader Sean Woodward said: "The nature of the development at Knowle is that people are more likely to be "car-borne", as is essential for people wanting to buy a place out in the country.

"It will be a case of people parking where they can, on grass verges for example."

The comments from Fareham Borough Council will form part of a consultation document produced by Winchester planners over whether to approve the next stage of development - Winchester City Council is the planning authority for the site.

A city council spokeswoman said officers would take expert guidance from the county council as highway authority over how many car parking spaces should be allocated. She added: "We asked for Fareham Borough Council's opinion because the site is on a boundary.

"It will be up to our members to discuss their opinions and raise questions if they feel it is required."

The Knowle Hospital development, just off the A32 on the outskirts of Fareham, was officially launched by Berkeley Homes in June this year and includes plans for around 500 houses along with space for offices and a small commercial centre.

Berkeley Homes' marketing and sales director Gareth Jacob said: "We are working within recommended government guidelines as to the number of car parking spaces we are providing for residents of the village."

Fareham planners have lodged a holding objection to phase two of the Knowle development, involving 82 homes and flats, plus four shops.

Winchester City Council has thrown out a scheme for luxury homes at the Knowle development. The proposal by Bovis Homes for two five-bedroom homes and four six-bedroom properties had received outline permission, but planners rejected the detailed application.