DURING an historic week in Westminster one MP faces a nervous wait to find out if the redevelopment plan for his rural home will get the green light.

Sir Christopher Chope is set to vote against Theresa May's proposed Brexit deal in the House of Commons this evening.

However, this morning members of the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) could give plans to flatten his Bransgore home to make way for a new house the same treatment.

The NPA's planning committee, who meet from 9.30am at Lymington Town Hall, have been advised by an officer to turn down the proposals for site in Harrow Road.

The Christchurch MP is hoping to demolish Mudewell Cottage and build a two-storey dwelling in its place.

No objections to the proposal were raised by Bransgore Parish Council, but planning officer Ann Braid has recommended refusal of the scheme on ecological grounds after citing a lack of research in the application to identify if there are any protected species on the site.

Ms Braid's report to the planning committee says: "The applicant has been advised that without the necessary assessment the proposal cannot be recommended for conditional approval.

"It is concluded that the correct process has not been followed in this case, the tests of the Habitats Regulations have not been met and there is a likelihood that the proposal could have an adverse impact on protected species."

The report notes the cottage is not of any particular architectural merit and its retention as a heritage asset is not merited.

In 1996, Sir Christopher successfully overturned the decision of the local planning authority on appeal to carry out an extension on his home.

A statement submitted on behalf of the veteran politician says he has lived at the property with his wife, Christo, for 24 years and the building has been showing "signs of accumulating and accelerating structural settlement" for some time.

The existing structure would not pass current building control legislation for several reasons, according to the statement.

It adds: "The owners have elected therefore to seek planning permission to replace the present building with one which addresses all the problems which currently exist and give them a property which is more in keeping with both modern living and current legislation, while simultaneously retaining an appropriateness conducive with its surroundings."