An Ampfield councillor, former Romsey mayor and a local campaign group have voiced concerns after plans for 244 homes and a new Hillier headquarters at Brentry Nurseries were approved.
Test Valley Borough Council approved the Jermyns Lane development after a lengthy and controversial planning process.
The scheme includes the phased demolition of existing buildings, a new Hillier head office and storage and distribution facility, 244 homes, open space, landscaping and supporting infrastructure.
Romsey Town Council, Braishfield Parish Council, residents and campaign group Romsave opposed the proposal over the loss of countryside, increased traffic and pressure on local services.
Following the decision, Ampfield representative Cllr Sally Yalden said her concerns had always centred on whether infrastructure would keep pace with housing growth.
She said: "I've always said that I'm not against new homes, particularly genuinely affordable ones, but development has to come with the infrastructure needed to support it.
"My concern about Brentry has always been the cumulative impact of so much development in this part of Test Valley, particularly on our roads, schools, health services and other local infrastructure."
Cllr Yalden also questioned why greenfield sites continue to come forward while vacant brownfield sites remain undeveloped.
She added: "Surely we should be doing everything we can to get sites like these developed first."
The councillor said the decision exposed Test Valley’s “difficult position” because it lacks a five-year housing land supply.
Former Romsey mayor Cllr Russell Theron also criticised the decision, arguing that national housing requirements had left councils with little ability to resist major developments.
He said: "It's extremely disappointing that yet another large housing development has been waved through by planners who are unable to oppose these speculative developments due to the Government's increased housing land supply figures imposed on Test Valley.
"In the past, developments such as this on Brentry Nurseries would not even have been considered.
"The biggest issue is the lack of consideration to local infrastructure which is already over capacity. Our roads, doctor's surgeries, schools and nurseries cannot cope with the current population of the town and here we are approving another huge development without giving this any consideration.
"I feel extremely sad that our beautiful town is changing rapidly at a pace set by planners and our democratically elected councillors cannot do anything about it."
Campaign group Romsave said it was disappointed by the decision.
Richard Buss of Romsave said the group recognised the need for more housing but wanted it built in more suitable locations.
"We are therefore deeply disappointed that permission has been granted for 244 homes at Brentry Nurseries on Jermyns Lane," he said.
Mr Buss said Government housing targets and the lack of an up-to-date Local Plan had weakened the council’s position on large housing proposals.
He said: "The result is that the Council's ability to resist speculative development is significantly weakened, leaving communities increasingly vulnerable to applications for large developments outside a properly planned strategy."
Romsave says the issue is not how many homes are built, but where they go and whether the necessary infrastructure follows.
Mr Buss added: "We remain firmly of the view that 244 homes at Jermyns Lane represent development in the wrong location."
The approved scheme will include a new access from Jermyns Lane, pedestrian and cycle links to Ganger Farm, sustainable drainage features, landscaping and public open space.
The permission includes conditions on ecology, drainage, landscaping, biodiversity, tree protection and construction management.
The parties signed a Section 106 agreement on August 27, and Simon Finch, the council’s director of planning and development, issued the decision notice.
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