A NEW multi-million pound centre at a Hampshire children's hospice has been given the go-ahead, despite concerns from a nearby village.

Objections to an extension at Naomi House Hospice for terminally ill children have been branded "frivolous and vexatious."

Wonston Parish Council opposed the building of Jack's Place, an extension to the hospice, in Sutton Scotney, near Winchester.

Naomi House has now launched a £6m appeal after receiving a £6m bequest from Southampton businessman Jack Witham who died in 2004.

The parish council said it supported the application in principle but had objections, including concerns over parking, inadequate screening by trees and excessive colour contrast in the building materials.

However Winchester City Councils' planning committee ignored the concerns and unanimously approved the scheme.

Councillor Robert Johnston, said: "I find some of the council's objections difficult to understand. When I saw the letter I regarded their objections as frivolous and vexatious. It would have been nice to have seen the parish council come here and back up their objections."

The new hospice will include six patient rooms, a hydrotherapy pool, kitchen, dining room, visitors' suite and bereavement room. It will provide care and support to young people from the age of 16 who have life-limiting illnesses and their families.

Called jacksplace@naomihouse, it will be sandwiched on a triangular site between the existing hospice building and the A34.

For the full story, see today's Southern Daily Echo.