A PROJECT that would bring 6,000 homes to Fareham will be met by a protest today as the plans go under public examination.

The Welborne Plan includes new homes, more than 97,000 square metres of employment floor space, four schools, a shopping centre, and up to 1,000 jobs.

The development is only a few miles from Wickham in the Winchester City Council area.

The scheme has been backed by Fareham MP Mark Hoban but there is opposition including a 690-signature petition and groups on Facebook.

Protesters are due to march from Ferneham Hall towards Fareham council offices to coincide with the start of the enquiry.

Inspector David Hogger has been appointed to test the “soundness” of the plan, including all comments received by the council regarding the development.

Fareham council leader Sean Woodward said he accepts that there is resistance to the project but hopes the hearing will sway some dissenters.

The objective of Welborne is to create a 21st century “garden community” that includes green space at all areas of development.

The site is north of the M27 and would include the construction of a new motorway junction, which would cost £35m alone.

If approved it is expected that work on both housing and infrastructure would continue until about 2040.