A DEVELOPER has been given planning permission to build more than 60 new homes after agreeing to include almost 20 affordable properties.

Pennyfarthing Homes has received consent to redevelop a 5.37-hectare site at Tinkers Cross in Whitsbury Road, Fordingbridge - despite strong objections to the scheme.

The site is earmarked for housing in the Local Plan, a development blueprint drawn up by New Forest District Council.

Talks between the authority and Pennyfarthing resulted in the company amending its scheme and agreeing to provide 19 affordable homes - an increase on previous figures.

Members of the planning committee heard that Fordingbridge Town Council was opposed to the application, which also sparked 20 letters of objection from locals.

One of the letters said: "This proposal represents the latest attempt at overdevelopment of the previously pleasant town of Fordingbridge.

"It appears NFDC will not be satisfied until Fordingbridge is joined on to Ringwood or perhaps Salisbury by an unbroken spread of uncontrolled, inappropriate and poorly planned development.

"Consider your current residents and reject this madcap over-development in the name of all that is sane."

One of the other objectors, Louise Tonkin, told the committee that the scheme would harm the environment as well as causing chaos in Whitsbury Road.

She also said the Local Plan had earmarked 870 homes for Fordingbridge whereas developers were proposing to build 1,285 properties on three sites in the area.

Ms Tonkin said Fordingbridge "had been hung out to dry".

Councillors acknowledged the potential impact on traffic levels in the area but praised the design of the proposed development. They also noted that the site was close to Burgate School.

Cllr Malcolm Wade said: "We need to accept the fact that we need to build more houses."

A report to members said: "The initial submission led to objections from officers, a number of consultees and other interested parties.

"These objections have been largely overcome to the extent to allow a positive recommendation on all matters including the level of affordable housing.

"The proposal is now considered to be generally in line with Local Plan and national guidance."