CAMPAIGNERS have won their battle to prevent a charity being forced to vacate a building it uses to help people recovering from brain injuries.

Proposals to bulldoze a day care centre run by Headway Southampton and use the land as a car sales area have been thrown out after a year-long planning battle.

Headway leases the two-storey complex in Commercial Road, Totton, from the neighbouring Newmans Suzuki garage.

Its initial application to demolish the Headway complex was rejected by New Forest District Council at the start of the year after more than 300 people objected to the plans.

Councillors said the scheme would result in the loss of ten jobs and a valuable community service.

Now government-appointed planning inspector Jonathon Parsons has upheld the council’s decision after dismissing an appeal lodged by the site’s owner, Cynthia Newman.

Mr Parsons said there was no guarantee that the proposed expansion of the garage would create jobs.

He added: “There’s no certainty that there would be any employment associated with the site. For those reasons I’m not persuaded that an employment and business site would be retained.

“The proposal would result in the loss of a facility that can provide a community service.”

Peter Cotton, manager of Headway Southampton, said he was delighted that a period of uncertainty appeared to be over. He added: “We are very pleased - and very grateful to everyone who has supported us over the past few months.”

The original application was turned down by the council’s planning and development control committee in January.

Cllr David Harrison told the meeting: “The proposal would result in the demolition of a building operated by a well-respected charity that provides employment for local people and a valuable service for users.”

Cllr Arthur Davis added: “I’m totally against the demolition of this wonderful place.”

The appeal was lodged in the summer by Knight Architectural Services, acting on behalf of Mrs Newman.

Documents submitted by the firm said the council’s reasons for rejecting the application were based on “factual inaccuracies, incorrect figures and subjective reasoning”.

They added: “The site has more worth to the prospering garage, which could expand and potentially take on more staff.

“It also clears the way in the long-term for the location to be developed. The area could see future improvement but for the encumbrance of the sitting tenant.”

The documents described the garage’s existing sales area as “cluttered and cramped”.

It added: “Opening the site provides a more pleasant street scene where the buildings are set back from the road and the cars can be better displayed without a convoluted parking scheme.”

Mrs Newman was unavailable for comment.