PLANNING chiefs have approved a controversial application that aims to ensure the survival of a village pub where profits have halved in four years.

The Foresters Arms in Brookley Road, Brockenhurst, has been given permission to erect a marquee in the car park on a maximum of 150 days a year.

It will be used by customers attending beer and music festivals or watching televised sporting events such as the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Ten people living near the pub had written letters of objection, claiming the marquee would result in noise, antisocial behaviour and excess litter.

But the application was given the go-ahead at a meeting of the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA).

Andrew Colverson, owner of the Foresters, said the pub’s net profits had dropped by 50 per cent over the past four years.

He added: “We’re an important part of Brockenhurst life and survival is essential. We need to grasp every opportunity to encourage people to come to the Foresters.

“We always try to consider our neighbours and keep customer noise to a minimum.”

Mr Colverson said he planned to stage only “one or two” music events a year, adding that televised sports would cause “very little disturbance”.

But the application was opposed by Hayden Simpson, owner of the neighbouring Thatched Cottage hotel and restaurant.

He said: “It seems insane that a huge marquee can be put up in a national park.

“It would have a devastating effect on our restaurant. Our customers are looking for peace and tranquillity in the New Forest.”

Other critics included NPA member Maureen Holding, who is also a district councillor for Brockenhurst.

She said: “The Foresters is a good, well-run pub but this is a step too far.

"The last time a marquee was used there were a lot of complaints and now the pub has come back with exactly the same thing.

“It could make a lot of money for the Foresters but it would harm other businesses in the area and that’s a bad balance.”

However, Barry Rickman, who is also leader of the district council, said that talk of peace and tranquillity in that part of Brockenhurst was “absolutely ludicrous”.

“It’s near the railway, the college and the commercial centre of the village,” he said.