A CONTROVERSIAL scheme to build a 40-bed care home for the elderly at Stockbridge has cleared its first obstacle.

Members of the borough's southern area planning committee gave Brookvale Homes outline permission to build the new home at Winton Hill.

But the project still has to be approved by members of Test Valley Borough Council's planning control committee.

If they agree to the scheme, the application will be forwarded to the secretary of state for the final say.

Members of Stock-bridge Parish Council are now supporting the scheme along with Hampshire social services officials and some residents.

But other local residents have registered their objections to the plans - mainly because they fear more traffic will be generated along the Winchester road and the area will suffer from overdevelopment.

Stockbridge ward borough councillor Cllr Daniel Busk said: "There is no dispute that Stockbridge needs a nursing home.

"There is great demand in the immediate area and there is no alternative site available.

"Business in Stock-bridge will benefit from the establishment of an up-to-date facility of this type.

"It will provide local employment opportunities and has a great deal of support."

If the plans go ahead, a section of trees will have to be cleared to make way for the development - a move contrary to the borough's planning policies for the countryside.

"While we do not take lightly either the loss of trees on the site or the contravention of policy, it is important that we take decisions in the best interest of the local community," added Cllr Busk.

"This will of course now be referred to both the planning control committee and to the secretary of state.

"I sincerely hope that both recognise there is an overriding need and the circumstances merit approval."

Little Dean Nursing Home - Stockbridge's only care home - was forced to close last July after borough planners rejected a scheme to modernise and expand it.

New government rules on care homes also added to its demise. A separate scheme to convert the former home into 13 two-bedroom apartments also gained approval subject to financial contributions, highway improvements and a footpath.