DEVELOPERS have released a computer-generated image of a multi-million-pound housing scheme being built in a Hampshire village.

The flats are springing up at South Street, Hythe, following a planning battle which ended in victory for the applicants, Churchill Retirement Living.

Proposals to increase the size of a scheme which was approved two years ago were given the go-ahead in April.

Churchill originally secured consent for 36 flats but later applied for permission to build 43 apartments on the same site.

The second application was thrown out by New Forest District Council, which said the “poor design” would harm the character and appearance of the Hythe Conservation Area.

It also claimed the three-storey element of the proposed development would be “unduly dominant” in an area full of two-storey buildings.

But Churchill lodged an appeal and a public inquiry was held at Lymington Town Hall in January.

Churchill was represented by Neil Cameron QC, who told the hearing: “It’s the applicant’s case that the development will not adversely affected the listed buildings.

"It will cause little substantial harm to the conservation area.”

Charles Banner, representing the council, told the inquiry: “It’s important to remember that the smaller scheme was accepted on balance - the report did not consider it a harm-free proposal.”

But government-appointed planning inspector Harold Stephens upheld the appeal, saying the council had attached too much weight to the disadvantages of the proposal.

The one and two-bedroom flats are being built on land formerly occupied by PC Building Supplies, which has moved to Hardley Industrial Estate. The scheme is due to be finished next spring or summer.

As reported in the Daily Echo, Churchill has launched a competition to find a suitable name for the complex.

The closing date is today and the winner will receive £100, plus an invitation to attend the opening ceremony. Entries can be emailed to deborah.waldeck@crl.co.uk