PLANS to upgrade a Hampshire hall and prevent villagers from losing their 100-year-old shop have taken another step forward.

The New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) has approved an amendment to a proposal that was given the go-ahead earlier this year.

The scheme has been devised by the group that runs Boldre War Memorial Hall.

A single-storey extension to the building at Pilley Street, Pilley, will provide a new home for Pilley's shop and post office.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the lease expires next year and is unlikely to be renewed.

In April the hall's trustees were given permission to enlarge the building, move the children's play area to make way for the extension and add a further seven parking spaces.

The application resulted in five letters of support, including one from the Friends of the New Forest group.

It said: "A community shop and post office is vital for villages to remain vibrant. This relocation will maintain a successful and essential service."

One of the other supporters of the proposal said: "The shop and post office has proved to be an indispensable asset to our community for many years and especially during lockdown.

"Incorporating it within the curtilage of Boldre War Memorial Hall is a wonderful opportunity, ensuring its continued existence.

"The plans for the new extension look attractive and very much in keeping with the existing hall."

Now the trustees have also been permission to improve the southern side of the building by installing two new windows.

A report to NPA members said: "Planning permission was granted earlier this year for a single-storey extension to the side of the hall to facilitate a relocated village shop and post office.

"This application seeks a non-material amendment to the scheme - the insertion of additional ground floor windows on the south eastern elevation of the existing building."

Villagers are hoping to complete the hall's upgrade before October next year, enabling the shop to move before its lease expires.