PLANS to build a new house in a “super-sensitive” part of the New Forest near Fordingbridge have been given the go-ahead.

The National Park Authority (NPA) has supported an application to bulldoze a property on Hyde Common, part of a conservation area, and replace with a bigger dwelling.

NPA planning officers said the existing property had little architectural merit.

But several members of the planning and development control committee spoke out against the application, which was eventually approved by just one vote.

Cllr David Harrison told fellow NPA members: “This is a super-sensitive site and we have to exercise extreme caution.

“I would like to see the existing building replaced but I don’t think the proposed development is quite good enough.”

Members spoke out after listening to a presentation by the local parish council, who criticised the proposed new house as “overly fussy” and out of character.

NPA member John Sanger described the design as “cluttered” and added: “I’m going to ask you as a committee to trust the parish council.

“I’m sure the designers could do an awful lot better. That would be good for the people who live in the house as well as those who have to look at it.”

NPA chairman Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre expressed similar views.

Describing the existing house as “ghastly” he added: “We should pause and invite another design that’s less fussy, less busy and not over elaborate.”

But officers recommended the committee to approve the application.

A report to members said: “The replacement (house) would not have any significant visual impact over and above the existing. The character and setting of the conservation area and the open forest will be preserved.”

The application was eventually approved by five votes to four.