Eastleigh planners have received an application to extend Allbrook's former Old School Theatre.

The Itchen Valley education Trust - a charity linked to the Plymouth Brethren, which provides support for home educated children - won planning approval for a controversial scheme to turn what was once the village's school into an education centre in July 1999.

Locals had bombarded Eastleigh council with letters of objection, including claims that plans would cause traffic and parking problems, loss of privacy, destroy Allbrook's Victorian heritage and impact on the village environment.

After months of wrangling and an initial planning refusal, the trust won consent for a revised scheme after senior planning officer Steve Carrington told the borough's Eastleigh local area committee he felt the applicant's attempts to overcome reasons for the previous refusal had been successful. Main changes centred on the pitched roof being reduced in height, "overlooking" windows being replaced with skylights and an offer to dedicate the car park for public use.

Speakers representing both the trust and residents were given unparalleled scope to address councillors in a marathon debate.

But years of wrangling over car parking between the trust and the residents of neighbouring cottages ended up in the High Court only last September when Judge Mr Justice Elias advised both sides to put differences aside.