'A MASSIVE drain on resources'.

That's the view of many residents objecting to major new plans for hundreds of homes in Christchurch.

With no doctors surgery or school and fears over jam-packed roads, concerns have already been raised over Christchurch's new housing estate at Roeshot Hill.

The outline plans for access to and from the 875 home estate were submitted to the council from developers Taylor Wimpey a few weeks ago.

A more detailed application, to come at a later date, will include plans for a new community building, bus access from Sainsbury's, a central area of open space including two floodlit all weather sports pitches, a road bridge over the River Mude as well as more open space.

However, there are no plans for a doctors surgery or school, with new residents forced to use existing facilities, which many say are already stretched.

Comments submitted to the council include: "Whilst the area needs more housing of all types this plan offers no solutions to severe local problems.

"It will attract mostly younger people with children; where will they attend school?

"Where will they find a doctors practice or dentist willing to take them as NHS patients? But above all, how will the A35 and particularly the bypass cope with a possible 1,500 extra cars?"

Another Christchurch resident said: "875 dwellings will generate a possible 1,500 private vehicles, maybe more, and possibly 2,000 more residents, with possibly 1,000 or more children.

"But there is no provision for doctors facilities, or for extra school places. How can this make any sense?

"Also, with all this extra traffic, in addition to the huge development at Hoburne Farm, why on earth is there no plan for a roundabout, allowing both developments access to the A35?

"This would have the added benefit of slowing traffic on a notorious accident blackspot."

Someone else said: "There is absolutely no infrastructure or road capacity to take such a large development in this area.

"Christchurch council need to prioritise a proper bypass that actually bypasses the town before even considering such plans as this."

And one person said: "I cannot see how this can go ahead without being a massive drain on already stretched resources."

A Taylor Wimpey spokesman said: "During the consultation period prior to submitting our planning application, we had a series of very useful discussions with council officers.

The Borough Council’s requirements for education and medical facilities have been followed.

“As agreed with the Local Highways Authority, we are also proposing a significant improvement scheme to the existing A35 Stony Lane roundabout and a series of wider highways and transportation measures.

“Our application is supported by a Section 106 Agreement, which is now being drafted.

Comments can be made on the plans until Friday.