ATTEMPTS to ease the desperate shortage of nursing home beds in the New Forest have been given another major boost.

The Engleburn Residential Care Home at New Milton is to treble its capacity after winning an 18-month planning battle.

An application to build a 50-bed extension at the home was approved yesterday by members of the district council's planning committee.

It follows the outcome of a public inquiry into proposed alterations to the district Local Plan.

A government planning inspector who chaired the inquiry has approved proposals to relax the regulations governing the expansion of nursing homes in the Forest.

The new planning policy has yet to be formally adopted by the council, but is already making its presence felt.

Last month plans to enlarge the Colbury House nursing home at Hillstreet, near Totton, were approved in the wake of the inspector's comments.

Now Engleburn has also been given the go-ahead to expand.

A previous application was thrown out last year but councillors were happy to approve the latest scheme following the emergence of the new policy.

A report to the committee said: "The proposed extensions will accommodate 50 bedrooms, additional dining room accommodation and kitchen facilities, together with a laundry room and small store.

"The anticipated increase in traffic will have some impact on the character of Milford Road but not enough to justify refusal of planning permission."

The proposed development will increase the number of beds at the home from 26 to 76.

Councillors who supported the scheme included New Milton member Alan Rice, who told the committee: "There is a desperate need for this."

As reported in the Daily Echo, the number of Forest residents aged over 85 is likely to rise by 18 per cent over the next four years.

However, at least 20 care homes in the district have closed as a result of rising costs and other factors.

Yvonne Lebrun, deputy chief executive of New Forest Primary Care Trust, praised plans to increase the number of beds at Engleburn and other homes.

She said: "We very much welcome the proposed increase in nursing home places. The increased capacity will bring great health benefits for older people."