CIVIC chiefs are being urged to reject the latest £10 million plan to transform a prime site in Lymington.

Renaissance Retirement has submitted a revised scheme for the town's former bus station following the rejection of its previous proposal which was described as “totally uninspiring”.

Plans to replace the disused transport hub with a shop and 18 sheltered apartments for the elderly were refused by district councillors last year.

The Ringwood-based applicant went back to the drawing board and has now submitted a new proposal.

It is now seeking consent for a shop and 17 flats, having altered the scheme’s layout and design in a bid to overcome objections.

Modifications include lower roofs and other alterations to the external appearance of the new buildings.

But the district council has received objections to the scheme from the Lymington Society and the town council, which says it “remains opposed to any development of this nature” on the site.

Protests have also been lodged by several people living in the Lymington area.

Jill Gill, of Lower Buckland Road, says the scheme amounts to over-development, adding that the proposals are “unsuitable” and “over-ambitious”.

Fellow Lymington resident Sinead Joyce claims the bus station should be retained.

Her letter to the council says: “We do not need or want more housing for the elderly in the middle of the High Street. We should be maintaining the integrity of this lovely Georgian town.”

However, the scheme has sparked a letter of support from architect Maxwell Quartermain, of Forest Park Road, Brockenhurst, who is full of praise for proposals to redevelop the High Street site.

He says: “As a retired person seeking to find a smaller, more manageable property it’s absolutely apparent to me that this position is perfect.

“This proposal is extremely clever in its use of space.

“If approved it will be viewed by the public and users alike as a perfect answer to today’s need for aged persons’ accommodation.”

Speaking after the revised scheme was submitted earlier this year a Renaissance spokesman said: “While we considered that our earlier scheme was worthy of permission, we’ve nevertheless taken the time to review our plans in order to address some of the main concerns that were raised by the council.

“We’re now keen to see our latest scheme move through the planning process and get a positive determination.”