CAMPAIGNERS have lost their battle to prevent 17 homes being built in a New Forest village where hundreds of other properties are also planned.

Civic chiefs have approved a controversial application to develop a former nursery site opposite a church and a school in Hordle Lane, Hordle.

The scheme will enable the applicant, The Hyde Group, to provide much-needed affordable housing in the area.

But locals had called for the application to be thrown out, claiming it amounted to overdevelopment and would create extra traffic problems in the area.

Some objectors said separate plans to build 10,000 houses in the New Forest, including more than 500 in the Hordle area, meant the proposal was premature.

Parish councillors told the district council's planning committee that a large number of homes were due to be built behind the old nursery.

Cllr Fran Carpenter warned that Hordle was in danger of being developed piecemeal but planning officer David Groom dismissed suggestions that the application should be deferred.

He told the committee: "We cannot hold this back pending what may or may not happen in the future."

Cllr Alan Penson added: "I can understand the concerns of local residents and the parish council but the application comprises an attractive design, green space and adequate parking. The applicants have made the best of that particular space."

The site is opposite Hordle Primary School and historic All Saints Church - a Grade II listed building.

The committee chairman, Cllr Christine Ward, conceded that problems were being caused by parents parking outside the school but added: "The residents (of the new development) will walk there with their children, so that's not going to increase congestion."

Cllr David Harrison added: "It's a well-designed application.

"Although it's only 17 homes and we have 4,500 people on our housing waiting list the scheme makes a positive contribution in the right direction."

The application was approved by an overwhelming majority.

It follows months of controversy over proposals to build thousands of homes on greenfield sites surrounding the New Forest National Park.

Under the district council's new Local Plan Review 20 sites have been earmarked for residential development - including three in Hordle.

Two months ago hundreds of people marched through Hordle in protest at plans to build hundreds of homes in the Everton Road, Vicarage Lane and Woodcock Lane areas.

Campaigners claim the village is in danger of being turned into a small town.