CONTROVERSIAL plans to open a new pub in Lymington have divided residents.

More than 800 have objected to the latest plans by JD Wetherspoon to turn one of the town’s biggest shop units into a pub and restaurant – but 1,106 people have signed a petition backing the scheme.

The site – part of a conservation area – is next door to the 13th century St Thomas’s Church and an old people’s home.

Wetherspoon’s original application to convert the Palfrey & Kemp store in St Thomas’s Street was rejected by New Forest District Council last year.

Wetherspoon later submitted a second application, adding what it described as a wildlife garden. But critics claim the revised scheme is almost identical to the first.

In a letter to the council, Jack Losh, of Church Lane, Lymington, said: “Overly-commercial chains of drinking establishments have no place in a historic Georgian high street.”

The petition in favour of the latest application says: “Is Lymington the posh town it’s made out to be? No. Please help us overturn the council’s decision.

“It’s not a pub but a family-orientated restaurant.”

The 876 new objections are more than four times as many as the first application.

As well as the two petitions, council chiefs have also received 97 letters supporting the scheme.

Following the council’s decision to reject the original application, three generations of the Head family launched a campaign in favour of Wetherspoon.

Jacqui Head, her daughter Emma and granddaughter Jade say the proposed development would be an asset to the town.

A Wetherspoon spokesman said: “Almost 100 people have written in support of our plans and that is gratifying.

“Those who are against the application are more likely to make their feelings known than those who either want the pub or have no views on the matter.”