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

The National Park Authority (NPA) has approved an application to bulldoze a detached house on Hyde Common, part of a conservation area, and replace it 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.”

Representatives from the local parish council said the new house was “overly fussy” and out of character.

However, the application was eventually approved by five votes to four.