PLANS to give a New Forest sports complex a £2.2 million facelift have been given the go-ahead - despite fierce opposition to the scheme.

An application to build new facilities at Lymington Re-creation Centre has been awarded outline planning permission by Hampshire County Council.

The decision was announced at yesterday's meeting of the district council's planning development control committee.

Members were told that the plan would enable the site to "catch up" with other recreation centres in the district.

Councillors agreed to support the long-awaited application - despite strong objections to the scheme from local residents.

Controversy centres on plans for an artificial turf pitch close to homes in North Street, Penning-ton.

A report to councillors said a survey carried out by Pennington Residents' Association had re-vealed that 120 households were opposed to the plan.

The report said residents were worried about noise, extra traffic in narrow residential roads and the impact of eight floodlights on nearby homes.

Two objectors who addressed the committee said the artificial turf pitch was an "outrageous and diabolical" scheme that should be rejected on moral grounds.

But plans to extend the centre were praised by council leader Simon Hayes.

"This is an opportunity to create a facility that has been denied to the people of Lymington for far too long," he said.

The scheme includes a multi-use hall, a health and fitness suite and a new reception area.

New Milton member Ben Ear-wicker said: "I'm happy with the extension to the building, but not with plans to provide an artificial pitch outside.

"There are other places it could go and still serve the local community."

Forest North councillor David Scott said Lymington was the last of the five recreation centres in the district to be equipped with full facilities.

The committee agreed to raise no objection to the scheme.

But members said the floodlights should be switched off no later than 10pm on weekdays and 7pm on Sundays and bank holidays.