PLANS to move 160 Environment Agency workers to the edge of a Romsey residential area have sparked fears of major traffic flows past brand new homes.

The Agency has a site off Romsey's Canal Walk which is the base for 24 staff, six of whom are office-based.

But its main depot for South Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, which has a staff of around 160 and roughly 300 vehicle movements, is at Colden Common.

Now it has applied to Test Valley Borough Council for planning permission for a large new office, workshop and storage buildings at its Romsey site.

That would mean an estimated 340 vehicle movements per day - mainly cars and light vans -with a proposed access via the neighbouring residential area, part of which is still under construction.

In its application, it cites poor public transport as a problem at Colden Common and adds: "Primarily, the presence of all of the Agency's South Hampshire activities in one location is clearly the most operationally efficient arrangement.

"The site at Romsey has been chosen for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is located more centrally to the operational area of this office "A further important reason for choosing Romsey is its advantageous public transport accessibility. The head office of the Agency is in Bristol and there is a convenient direct service from Romsey Station to Bristol.

"Furthermore, the regional office is in Worthing, close to the railway station, which is again readily accessibly by train from Romsey."

A report accompanying the application indicates the plant life in the affected area is not of great value, but calls for surveys regarding the possible habits of such creatures as stag beetles, great crested newts, reptiles, bats, otters and water voles.

But the scheme, and particularly its traffic impact, has already alarmed some residents and one said: "It will cause a lot of disturbance to people living here and they should find an alternative access.

"There is another road running close to the site and that ought to be looked at."

In addition to the building work and the access, the Agency is also applying for permission to relocate existing allotment plots.