PLANS to enlarge a New Forest nursing home have been thrown out after locals complained that it was already too big.

The Gorselands complex in Coach Hill Lane, Burley, lodged an appeal after the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) rejected its application to add another eight bedrooms.

But government-appointed planning inspector Paul Freer has upheld the NPA’s decision following a public inquiry.

During the hearing nursing home owner Keith Gibbs said the proposed development was necessary to meet increased demand. But parish councillors and other villagers claimed that the 35-room home had already been over-developed.

Now Mr Freer has refused the scheme on the grounds that extra traffic generated by the scheme would harm the Burley Conservation Area.

His report says the home has grown considerably since 1984, when the number of bedrooms stood at 14.

He acknowledges the need for facilities such as Gorselands and concedes that the extra bed spaces resulting from the proposed development would create “a public benefit”.

But he adds: “The benefit is a limited one whereas the harm to the Burley Conservation Area is a matter to which I attach great weight.

“Consequently the benefit arising from the provision of additional bed spaces does not outweigh the harm to the character and appearance of the area resulting from the proposed development.”

Mr Freer cites the cumulative impact of previous extensions to the home.

He adds: “Any additional traffic activity would be harmful to the unique and distinctive character of the national park, both in terms of visual intrusion caused by additional vehicles and the erosion of unmade surfaces on tracks leading to the site.”

During the public inquiry it emerged that villagers conducted a survey and discovered the home generated an average of 113 vehicle movements a day.

Mr Freer says Coach Hill Lane is one of 12 special “character areas” within the conservation area.

He adds: “The visual intrusion caused by additional vehicles and the erosion of the unmade surface of the tracks leading to the site would, in my view, be harmful to one of the main landscape features from which the character and appearance of this conservation area in large part derives.”

Peter Russell, vice-chairman of Burley Parish Council, said: “We’re all delighted with the inspector’s ruling.

“We’re convinced it’s the right decision. Conservation is a priority for that area.”