PLANNERS in the New Forest have approved a scheme that aims to ease the growing shortage of care home places for the elderly.

Woodlands House in Woodlands Road, Netley Marsh, has been given planning permission to add another six bedrooms in a bid to remain viable.

Representatives from the applicant, Woodlands House Ltd, said care homes were facing an unprecedented crisis caused by new legislation. Many homes have closed because they are unable to fund major improvements demanded by the controversial Care Standards Act 2000.

Others are expanding in the hope that extra income generated by an increase in the number of residents will enable them to remain open.

The decision to approve the Woodlands House scheme was taken at a meeting of the district council's planning and development control committee.

Planning officers had recommended councillors to reject the proposal, saying it would intensify the use of the site and increase the building's impact. Council leader Simon Hayes said the authority's policy on care homes was out of date.

Cllr Hayes also warned that the number of residents over the age of 85 was set to rise sharply during the next ten years. He added: "The Woodlands House scheme is a crucial planning application. I'd ask you to approve the proposal, even though it contravenes our policy."

Brockenhurst councillor Maureen Holding said: "Last week Woodlands House had to turn away 12 families looking for care for the elderly. It would be absolutely criminal if we rejected this scheme."

The application was also supported by Netley Marsh member Derek Burdle and Robert Giddings, chairman of the parish council.

Woodlands House is owned by David Edwards and his wife Gill. Mr Edwards said the committee's decision would enable the care home to increase the number of residents from 24 to 30.