PROPOSALS to enlarge a house in the New Forest by 51-per-cent have been thrown out.

District councillors said the application breached a planning policy that aimed to prevent homes in rural parts of the Forest being extended by more than 30-per-cent.

Cllr Richard Frampton criticised Sopley Parish Council for supporting the application, which related to a property in the village.

In a letter to planning officers the council said: “Although this is a sizeable extension, the proposals do not seem to be out of line with the neighbouring properties.

“Modification of this dwelling will improve the general outlook as this is one of the more dated propertiesalong the road.”

But Cllr Frampton said: “I’m surprised at the parish council for not taking into account one of our most fundamental and successfully-upheld policies.”

Cllr Sue Bennison described the proposed extension as “grossly oversized” and added: “We’re not saying the house can’t be extended - we’re just saying it can’t be extended by this amount.”

Other members of the council’s planning and development control committee supported the application and urged their colleagues to be more flexible.

Cllr John Olliff-Cooper said: “We’re elected to use our brains, not just to stick to rules.” But the scheme was rejected by ten votes to five.