A DEVELOPER has launched a second attempt to gain permission for a scheme that would result in the demolition of a historic Hampshire farmhouse.

Frogmore Residential Ltd has submitted an application to build 12 homes and an office block on the old Unigate dairy site in Salisbury Road, Totton.

Plans to demolish all the buildings at the dairy and replace them with 14 homes were rejected by New Forest District Council last year.

Councillors are also opposing the latest scheme because Frogmore is still proposing to bulldoze a 19th-century farmhouse on the site.

The application was discussed at a meeting of the council's planning committee.

Brockenhurst councillor Maureen Holding complained that the loss of old buildings was changing the character of the New Forest area.

She added: "The farmhouse is a nice building but the applicant wants to get rid of it, even though it's important to local people.

"Losing that frontage and cramming as many houses as possible on the site would not enhance the area."

Graham Parkes, who represents Furzedown and Hardley, also supported moves to save the house.

He said: "It's a great shame that it's not due to be retained and I shall be voting against the application for that reason."

Frogmore's agent, Tim Partridge, said English Heritage had assessed the farmhouse and decided that it was of no special interest.

He added: "The proposed development would be a vast improvement on the current derelict buildings, which are harmful to the character of the area."

However, councillors said the farmhouse should be retained and deferred the application.

Town councillor Chris Lagdon said: "The farmhouse is one of the oldest buildings in the Salisbury Road area and is part of Totton's hertitage."