PLANS to breathe new life into a group of redundant farm buildings in the New Forest have been scuppered by highway concerns.

Members of the district council normally welcome applications to turn disused buildings in the Forest into potential sources of employment.

But a proposal to convert part of Vidle Van Farm, Keyhaven, was rejected by the planning and development control committee.

Members said traffic generated by the scheme could cause safety hazards on a single-track road leading to the farm.

The application submitted by Duke and Edgar Ltd had resulted in 30 letters of objection from locals, who expressed a long list of concerns.

These included an increase in vehicles using "inadequate" roads and the use of a septic tank sewage system in an area prone to flooding.

Councillors were addressed by Martin Wilkinson, of Lymore Lane, Keyhaven, who said he was representing 32 residents who objected to the proposed conversion.

"We think any development of this kind should be refused," he said.

A report to the committee cited safety hazards likely to occur if more cars started using narrow and badly-aligned roads in the area. The report added: "The farm is in a relatively-remote location and is poorly served by public transport.

"The proposal to convert buildings at the site into offices would generate an unacceptable increase in the number and length of car journeys."

Council officer Chris Elliott said: "Our policies favour plans to use redundant farm buildings for employment purposes because such proposals protect the rural economy.

"But there are strong highway objections to this particular application."

Principal engineer (highways) Nick Hunt said: "The road is a narrow, tortuous route and any additional traffic using it would only exacerbate existing problems."