PLANS for a 57-bed care home in New Milton have been given the green light after a drawn out application process.

The application for the three-storey development at Glendalyn in Fernhill Lane was approved by New Forest District Council's planning committee.

This decision comes despite strong objections from both New Milton Town Council and the local residents' association.

The initial plans for the site from Redland Care Group, which were submitted in November 2016, set out a 60-bed home.

However after on-going discussions with council officers the applicants settled for scaled back scheme.

Members were due to assess the scheme featuring 54 beds at a meeting in January, but this was deferred at the request of the applicants.

Following revisions and changes an application for a 57-bed development went before the planning committee this month.

Thirty representations were made to the scheme, including 23 objections.

In highlighting the group's objection to the development, a letter from New Milton Residents' Association, says: "NMRA believes that the Application as currently designed is too bulky for the site, the placing of the buildings could cause inconvenience and harm to local residents and that it is a shame that the old Edwardian Building of some character could not be saved and incorporated into any new development.

"The addition of a third floor makes this a very unattractive development, despite the large number of trees on the site. NMRA is also concerned at the loss of a number of trees due to the placement of the building."

New Milton Town Council had several issues, including the impact on other residents' privacy and a lack of on-site parking.

Despite these objections the scheme was approved.

Currently the site is occupied by a large single building, which was formerly used as a children's home, and minor outbuildings.