Campaigners are fighting plans to turn a former care home into a house in multiple occupation (HMO).

New Forest District Council has received an application to convert the 14-bed Avondale Lodge in Hythe Road, Marchwood, following its closure two years ago.

Some of the protesters claim the scheme could result in "undesirable characters" living in the property.

But most say an HMO would create extra traffic problems, endangering the safety of children going to and from Marchwood Infant School.

Campaigners are fighting plans to turn Avondale Lodge in Hythe Road, Marchwood, into an HMOCampaigners are fighting plans to turn Avondale Lodge in Hythe Road, Marchwood, into an HMO (Image: Newsquest)

The application, by Wendy Osman, has resulted in several letters of objection being sent to the council.

READ MORE: Plans expand HMO in Livingstone Road, Southampton, spark angry backlash

Ward member Richard Young said the shortage of parking spaces at Avondale would result in extra on-street parking, potentially putting schoolchildren at risk.

"Hythe Road is particularly busy and heavily congested around the start and end of each school day, with a significant volume of on-road parking already taking place," said Cllr Young.

"The addition of half a dozen or more vehicles will exacerbate road safety issues when the youngest and most vulnerable members of our community are walking to and from the local infant school."

Critics claim extra traffic generated by the HMO could endanger the safety of children walking to and from Marchwood Infant SchoolCritics claim extra traffic generated by the HMO could endanger the safety of children walking to and from Marchwood Infant School (Image: Newsquest)

Guy Thewlis, of Lakeland Gardens, Marchwood, also voiced fears about the impact of extra traffic.

He said: "The elderly Avondale residents were unlikely to own a vehicle and therefore the eight parking spaces would have been more than sufficient for visitors and staff.

"However, there is now the potential for all 14 new occupants to own a vehicle.

"This particular area of Hythe Road is already congested during school drop off and pick up times, often causing traffic to back up, with pedestrians and young children crossing between parked cars.

"Drivers are also forced to take risks by passing parked cars on blind corners.

"The road has also seen an increase in heavy goods traffic as well as motorists trying to avoid temporary traffic signals and roadworks on the A326."

Campaigners are fighting plans to turn Avondale Lodge in Hythe Road, Marchwood, into an HMOCampaigners are fighting plans to turn Avondale Lodge in Hythe Road, Marchwood, into an HMO (Image: Newsquest)

Michael Sims, of Hythe Road, added: "An additional influx of vehicles due to the HMO would only worsen safety and congestion issues, posing risks to both drivers and pedestrians."

READ MORE: Controversial plan to turn family home into eight-bed HMO rejected by Southampton City Council

Fellow Hythe Road resident Laura Tuffill raised concerns about the type of tenants likely to live in the property.

She said: "HMOs come with a reputation of being let to students and young adults, with noise being a common issue as a result of parties/gatherings and the sheer number of adults coming and going.

"The introduction of an HMO is likely to lead to the area becoming less desirable and will inevitably have a knock-on effect on property value."