A ROCK legend living in the New Forest has lost his battle with planning chiefs to convert part of his new mansion.

Mark Knopfler, the multi-millionaire frontman of Dire Straits, wanted to turn the loft into a nursery after the birth of his fourth child last year.

A planning inspector dismissed the star's appeal against New Forest District Council's decision to turn down the proposal.

They said the alterations would contravene previous planning conditions placed on the 10,000 sq ft property to stop it getting too big.

Inspector Stephen Blades' report said: "It seems to me that the New Forest has a precious and fragile environment, attractive but vulnerable. The human pressures upon it are relentless.

"To help counter these, planning policies aim to curb an endless succession of domestic property enhancements that would otherwise have a damaging impact upon the New Forest's fabric and character."

Mr Knopfler, 55, was ranked 621 in the Sunday Times Rich List 2004 with an estimated wealth of £65m.

Work to totally rebuild the secluded property overlooking the Solent at Thorns Beach was recently completed.

The musician, famous for hits including Money for Nothing and Sultans of Swing, moved into his new home earlier this year with third wife, Kitty Aldridge.

It already has six bedrooms but after the birth of baby Katya Ruby Rose last year, Mr Knopfler wanted to build a nursery and nanny quarters in the loft.

Agents working on behalf of Mr Knopfler had argued that converting the roof space would have no external visual impact and would not lead to an increase of visitors to the house.

In his report, Mr Blades said: "An individual enhancement proposal might seem innocuous, but such proposals have to be guarded against because the cumulative effect of numerous uncontrolled changes would inevitably be the erosion of the elusive quality."

He added: "In my opinion it would materially increase the living capacity of the house and thus add significantly to the pressure brought to bear on the New Forest in terms of related human activity and traffic movements.

"This adverse environmental impact would be detrimental to the long-term conservation of the New Forest."

Mr Knopfler was unavailable for comment.