A Hampshire developer has come under fire for altering a new housing scheme after planners had given it the go-ahead.

S&H Homes has raised the height of the building by more than two feet, enlarged some of the windows and increased the number of bedrooms, New Forest councillors were told.

The project in Lymington was described as an “abomination” at a meeting of the council’s planning committee.

Planning officers said the alterations made by the company represented only a “marginal” departure from the original scheme.

But councillors went against the officers’ advice and refused to approve the alterations.

Committee chairman Pat Wyeth said: “I’m getting increasingly fed up with developers pushing it that little bit further every single time. Why on Earth can’t they build what they get permission for?”

Marchwood member Alan Shotter said the company should be told to demolish the homes and start again.

“It would be a warning to all applicants who think they can bend the rules and ride roughshod over what has been approved,” he said.

The development, which comprises 14 flats and houses, is being built at the junction of Avenue Road and Lower Buckland Road.

Lymington councillor Tony Swain said that the number of bedrooms had been increased from 46 to 52.

Members of the Lymington Society claimed that the front of the complex looked like a castle.

Brockenhurst councillor Maureen Holding added: “It’s an abomination. What are we doing to this town?”

Jerry Davies, representing the applicant, said the amendments to the original design were minor and not an attempt to make more money.

He added: “Changes do occur. There is a process in place for that and that’s why we are here today.”

Chris Elliott, the council’s top planning officer, said the applicant would almost certainly appeal against the committee’s decision to reject the alterations.

If the appeal failed, the authority would take enforcement action to ensure that the company complied with the original plans, he said.