RESIDENTS have voiced mixed views after plans to build scores of homes on woodland opposite their properties were submitted.

Most people in Jesmond Avenue, Highcliffe, fiercely oppose proposals for 40 homes and a 90-bed care home on land once earmarked for the Highcliffe bypass.

But some claim it will enhance the area and will end speculation about the site, which has been hidden behind a hoarding for more than a year.

Brentland Ltd has handed in an application, claiming it will make a "significant and valuable contribution towards the provision of nursing and residential care."

But some residents fear such a development would destroy the character of the area and lead to the loss of too many trees.

"It will be awfue while the work is going on and access to the site will be a nightmare" said a resident of 30 years. "It is rather special and quiet here. A development like this would completely change the environment but no one cares about the environment these days."

A neighbour added: "I don't mind the land being developed but it is over-development that worries me. I am also concerned there will not be enough trees on the site."

But Gill Wheeler, who lives immediately opposite the land, said: "I am sick to death of that hoarding and relieved that it will be coming down.

"The land is owned by a good developer who is not the sort of person who would put up ugly looking houses.

"It will be in the developer's best interests for them to be good-looking properties so I am in favour because I think it will bring up the value of other properties in the area."

The land in question was bought from Poole-based developers Boyland and Son by Hampshire County Council under a Compulsory Purchase Order in 1964 to build the Highcliffe bypass.

When it became clear that a bypass would never be built the company, which includes Brentland Ltd, bought it back and has now submitted the application to Christchurch council.

The outline plan includes a proposal to improve the pedestrian path from Greenways to Lymington Road. The care home would be four storeys high.