CAMPAIGNERS have lost their battle to prevent one of the world’s biggest chemical companies from redeveloping a site in a New Forest village.

The National Park Authority (NPA) has given INEOS permission to build offices that will include a tennis court and an underground car park.

INEOS’s application to transform its site at the junction of Beechen Lane, Lyndhurst, and the A337 had resulted in 17 letters of objection.

Critics included John Bennett, who told NPA planners that the offices would block residents’ rural views.

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He added: “The extra traffic using the new service yard in Beechen Lane would clash with residents, walkers and hundreds of cyclists who use it in the summer months.

“The A337 is already overloaded.

INEOS staff would impede the flow on this busy and dangerous stretch even further.”

Fellow objector Maurice Porter added: “The last thing Lyndhurst needs is extra traffic.”

INEOS, which also has offices in nearby Chapel Lane, bought the site – formerly the headquarters of the Hampshire Cattle Breeders’ Society – after another company was repeatedly refused permission to build 40 homes.

Peter Clarkson, from INEOS, said the scheme would result in important improvements to the junction.

NPA members said it was significantly smaller than the company’s previous proposal, which was rejected two years ago.

They added that the offices would be able to accommodate up to 150 people – an increase of 50 on the site’s current capacity.

NPA member Pat Wyeth welcomed the potential boost to the local economy.

“We’ve got ten empty shops in Lyndhurst,” she said. “We desperately need people to use our restaurants, pubs and florists.”