Site owners Premier Marinas plan to transform the Swanwick site with the marina development bringing around 200 jobs into the area and incorporating a landmark three storey pavilion as the focal point of the marina.

The redevelopment proposals include a retail area, bar, restaurant, offices, boatyard complex with workshops and 49 homes.

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Hazel Blears, has called in the planning application and a public inquiry will now be held.

Giving the reasons a statement from the Government Office for the South East says: 'The Secretary of State is of the opinion that the application is one that she ought to decide herself because she considers that the proposals may conflict with national policies on important matters and could have significant effects beyond their immediate locality.'

It's not known when the local inquiry will be held, but the decision by the government to call in the application has angered Fareham council leader Sean Woodward.

'It could delay scheme for as much as a year and create a great deal of uncertainty for the workforce at Swanwick,' he said.

Rupert Boissier, a director of Premier Marinas, told BB: 'We are especially disappointed as the Fareham councillors were unanimous in their support and we received very positive backing from the local community, our staff, tenants and our bertholders.'

Boissier said the company is in the dark about why the scheme was called in by Blears. 'If the redevelopment does not proceed, it will put at risk the future viability of Swanwick as Fareham’s premier marina in terms of jobs and facilities,' he told us.

We had a contractor lined up for a start date of March 1, he added. 'Instead of starting the development, we'll now be submitting evidence to the inspectorate.'