CIVIC chiefs have approved a multi-million-pound scheme that aims to ease the shortage of affordable housing in a Hampshire town.

New Forest District Council has given itself planning permission to build 35 homes at Blackwater Drive in Totton – despite objections to the loss of public open space.

The flats will spring up beside existing blocks of council accommodation that are currently surrounded by large areas of grass.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the scheme - the biggest “new-build” project undertaken by the council for 25 years - comprises 26 one-bedroom flats and nine two-bedroom properties.

It was approved at a meeting of the planning and development control committee, despite six letters of protest from people living in the area.

Quoting some of the comments made by objectors a report to councillors cited the loss of green space on the estate and said the scheme amounted to over-development.

However it urged the committee to approve the application, saying a total of 1,259 people were seeking affordable housing in Totton.

It added: "The highest need is for one and two-bedroom properties and there's a particularly high need for one-bedroom accommodation.”

The report acknowledged that the development would "significantly" change the character of the area but said it had has been designed to a high standard.

Paul Phasey, representing the applicant, confirmed that the scheme would result in the loss of open space. He added that objections had been received during the public consultation process but said the general feedback had been “very positive”.

Cllr Pat Wyeth, a former chairman of the committee, was one of several members who spoke in favour of the application.

She said: “It’s always sad when we have to lose lovely green areas but we have a need for affordable housing in Totton and I think this scheme will work out very well.”

Totton councillor Arthur Davis added: “I’m totally in favour of this application.

“There is a lot of open space involved but it’s basically grassland that is not used to a great extent.”

Citing the benefits of the scheme he added: “We need this desperately and it will be a great asset to Totton. It’s a win-win situation.”