HOPES of saving the only shop and post office in a Hampshire village have received a double boost.

A recently-formed group that wants to buy the facility at Main Road, East Boldre, has been given planning permission to enlarge the retail area.

The application was approved by the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) after sparking almost 90 letters of support.

In a separate move, the NPA has rejected a proposal by the shop's current owner to convert the space currently occupied by the shop into extra living accommodation.

The application prompted nine letters of support and only one of objection.

But an NPA report said the not-for-profit East Boldre Community Stores (EBCS) wanted to acquire the store and enlarge the retail area.

"This is a strong indication that there is a need for the shop in the local community. Furthermore, the recent consent for a 'community hub' at the village hall, including a shop, also indicates a need for retail space in the locality," said the report.

"Local representations indicate there is a farm shop operating within one kilometre of the site, but a farm shop would not provide the [same] range of services.

"The loss of the post office and stores would have a detrimental impact upon the sustainability and vitality of the local community."

An application by EBCS to extend the retail area was approved last month after sparking 88 letters of support.

A report to NPA members said: "The proposal is to expand the shop/post office into the living accommodation on the ground floor whilst retaining a flat above.

"The current owner has tried and failed to sell the shop as a commercial business for the last six years.

"Turnover needs to be increased by at least 27%, which can be best achieved by increasing the floorspace of the shop, and therefore the amount of produce on offer.

"The proposal has generated a lot of support, but also several objections.

"Whilst the expansion in the size of the retail area is likely to increase the number of customers and therefore activity in general, many of the issues raised by the objectors already occur."

One of the people who supported the application described East Boldre as "slightly isolated".