Plan to bulldoze cottage next door to Borough Arms pub in Lymington

New Forest District Council has received several objections to an application to replace a 170-year-old cottage at Lower Buckland Road, Lymington, with three new homes.

Protesters include members of the Lymington Society, who describe the scheme as over-development.

In a letter to the council it says any development on the site should reflect the character and architecture of the neighbouring Borough Arms pub and not that of the modern development opposite.

Fellow objector Peter Clapham, of Priestlands Place Lymington, has also written to the council.

He says the demolition of the cottage would result in "one more morsel" of the town's history being lost forever.

Mr Clapham adds: "Why this was not listed in 1974, when the majority of Lymington's historic assets received protection, is unfortunate.

"Just down the road was a terrace of houses known as Rosetta Place, which were demolished as part of slum clearance.

"The plan to replace this house will make the whole sire cramped. At least the Rosetta Place houses had gardens."

Helen Pinkett, of Lower Buckland Road, describes the design as "awful", saying it bears no resemblance to the Borough Arms.

The proposals have been submitted by Steadman Lloyd Construction.

A design and access statement that forms part of the application says the scheme aims to provide "small and therefore affordable" homes in a sustainable town centre location.

It adds: "The house is not listed and not in a conservation area. It is in a poor state of repair."