MULTI-million-pound plans to redevelop a former transport hub in Lymington look set to be thrown out.

Councillors are being urged to reject an application to demolish the former Lymington bus station and replace it with sheltered housing for the elderly.

The application has sparked almost 50 protests, many of which say the £10 million proposal amounts to over-development.

One of the objections has been lodged by the council’s own conservation team, who claim the new buildings would have an adverse impact on the Lymington Conservation Area.

The town council is also calling for the controversial scheme to be turned down. In a letter to the district council it says: “There are many unsold sheltered housing units in the town, which seems to disprove the notion that it is in need of this new development.

“There is nothing to support the notion that this site should be used for anything other than either a bus station or retail units.”

The bus station closed in May last year, when replacement bus stops were provided in the High Street. Proposals to provide 17 sheltered housing units on the site, plus a shop and underground parking, are due to be debated by the council’s planning committee next Wednesday.

A report to members says: “This site is in a very sensitive location within the conservation area and is very close to a number of listed buildings. There is clearly scope to provide a significant enhancement of this site.

"However, it is important that any development proposal has regard to its sensitive setting.”

The scheme has been submitted by Ringwood-based Renaissance Retirement.  Its planning application says: “The site is highly appropriate for sheltered housing being located off Lymington High Street, which provides a range of shops, amenities and facilities.

“Residential use is in keeping with the general use of surrounding development. The use of the site is driven by the identified constraints and policies.”

Earlier this year Simon McFarlane, the company’s associate director of planning, said people living in the proposed new flats would add to the viability of the High Street.