A SWIMMING tuition service's plans to convert an industrial unit after their current facility became earmarked for development have been refused.

The application from Mr and Mrs Finlay for a unit at Queensway on the Stem Lane Industrial Estate in New Milton was turned down by New Forest District Council planners.

The business has operated at the Rothesay Hotel in Highcliffe since 2012, however as reported by the Daily Echo, the bed and breakfast is set to be demolished to make way for flats.

In refusing the scheme, planning officer Catherine Cluett cited concerns over increased vehicular movements on a road used frequently by HGVs.

Her report said: "Insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate that the proposed site parking layout would afford sufficient space for vehicles to manoeuvre within the site, so as to leave it in a forward gear which would lead to vehicles undertaking reverse manoeuvres directly onto the highway."