NATIONAL Park chiefs have approved an application that aims to secure the future of a New Forest hotel and restaurant.

Owners of the Thatched Cottage in Brookley Road, Brockenhurst, have been given permission to continue using a neighbouring house as extra accommodation for guests. They have also received consent to convert an outbuilding in the garden into two bedroom suites.

The proposals were approved by the National Park Authority despite parish council objections.

Anthony Climpson, the district council’s employment and tourism officer, described the Thatched Cottage as important to the Forest and stressed that its continued use of a house in adjoining Noel Close was “essential” to the hotel’s viability.