GREEDY developers are ruining the character of New Forest towns by building too many flats, it has been claimed.

Members of the district planning committee said attractive houses were being bulldozed to make way for expensive apartments, most of which were beyond the reach of local people.

Councillors were debating an application by Pennyfarthing Homes to build ten flats and two houses on a site at Station Road, New Milton.

Paul Woods, chairman of the town council, said: "We question the need for so many flats to be built in New Milton. There are already a large number standing empty."

Brockenhurst councillor Maureen Holding said towns and villages were suffering as a result of Whitehall targets on housing and density.

She said: "Nero fiddled while Rome burned and we're submitting to government while our district is being destroyed by these damn flats, which no one wants. Builders are out to get as much profit as they can and I object. Areas are becoming more urbanised and almost anti-New Forest."

Becton councillor Fran Carpenter also hit out at the Pennyfarthing scheme, saying "the last two fine houses in Station Road" would have to be demolished to make way for new properties.

But council officer David Groom said the proposed flats were "leagues better" than many existing apartments in the area.

A report to councillors stressed that Pennyfarthing had overcome the concerns that had resulted in its previous application for the site being rejected.

However, members agreed that the new scheme should also be refused. Minutes later they later approved Pennyfarthing's alternative proposal to build nine houses on the land.