A FIRE victim has hit out at New Forest planners after winning a five-year battle to replace a cottage destroyed in a blaze.

New Forest District Council finally approved proposals to build a new house at the 400-year-old Langford Farm in Paradise Lane, Woodlands.

Councillors acted just two days after the Daily Echo highlighted the plight of former leukaemia sufferer Ann Anderson, who has been living in a mobile home at the site since her thatched house was wrecked in 1997.

Now Mrs Anderson has been given permission to build a new house after a long planning battle.

But she is far from happy with the outcome of what she described as endless disputes about the size and design of the property.

She said: "I've finally got permission to construct a replacement dwelling and should be elated - but I just feel depleted and worn out.

"The house approved by the council is nothing like the one I wanted.

"It can't compare with the house that was there before and can't compare with the property that I wanted to build in its place."

Consent for the new building was awarded at a meeting of the district council's planning and development control committee.

A report to councillors said: "This application was deferred in September 1999 at the applicant's request to see whether acceptable amended plans could be negotiated.

"What is now being proposed is the result of protracted negotiations."

The report said Mrs Anderson had overcome one of the original objections to the scheme by reducing the size of her new home.

It will be only 30 per cent bigger than its predecessor - the maximum increase allowed by the council under policies to conserve the countryside.

The report added: "With its brick and tile construction the new house will be different in character to the original thatched dwelling. But in terms of general design, proportion and detailing it will satisfactorily reflect the rural building traditions of the area."

Mrs Anderson's agent, Kenneth Parke, confirmed that the application was the result of lengthy negotiations with the council. He added: "The proposals have evolved on a detail-by-detail basis. The initial concerns of council officers have been overcome."

Councillors heard that Netley Marsh Parish Council supported the application.

Netley Marsh councillor Derek Burdle said: "I'm pleased that this scheme has come back to us and that there's a recommendation to grant permission."