A WATERSIDE couple have won a planning battle after councillors approved the first application involving a site in the New Forest National Park.

George Pidgley and wife Irene, of Roys Copse, Dibden, have been allowed to replace their mobile home with a bungalow.

The proposal was given the go-ahead at a meeting of the district council's planning committee.

It was the second application on the agenda but the first relating to a property in the National Park, created on March 1.

Councillors went against the advice of planning officers and approved the scheme by just one vote.

Mr and Mrs Pidgley live just inside the National Park boundary, which excludes the rest of Dibden and other urban areas in the district.

Mrs Pidgley told the committee: "All we're asking for is a small bungalow that will be in line with similar properties at Roys Copse.

"We have the support of the local parish council and all seven of our neighbours."

Fellow Roys Copse resident Brian Toghill told the committee: "The Pidgleys' mobile home is 30 years old.

"It will soon start to deteriorate and become unsightly.

"A permanent building on the site could only improve the area."

The couple were also supported by Holbury and North Blackfield councillor Lee Dunsdon, who said the proposed development would be more in keeping with the National Park.

Chris Elliott, head of development control, said a council planning policy aimed to prevent mobile homes in the Forest being replaced by permanent properties.

He urged the committee to reject the application, saying a "yes" vote would set a precedent that could affect similar sites across the district.

However, Furzedown and Hardley councillor Graham Parkes stressed that rejecting the scheme could result in the Pidgleys' property being replaced by another mobile home.

A proposal to approve the application was passed by ten votes to nine.