FURIOUS New Forest residents have hit out at plans to more than double the size of an industrial estate near their homes.

The district council has approved an application to extend Sandleheath Industrial Estate despite strong opposition to the scheme from householders and local conservation groups.

Protesters say the scheme will result in more lorries driving through Sandleheath and Fordingbridge town centre - already a major bottleneck.

Extra traffic was one of the main objections aired by Philip Stockton, chairman of Sandleheath Parish Council, when he lobbied members of the district planning committee over plans for 38 new units.

He said: "We're totally opposed to the application and staggered that the planning department seems to be oblivious to the concerns of local people. The council is proposing to attach conditions to any permission, but they're not enough to reduce the impact of additional HGVs in the area."

Council officers said the application had resulted in 45 letters of objection and 25 letters of concern.

Fordingbridge councillor Bob Hale said: "Nobody in Fordingbridge or Sandleheath wants to see the extension of this industrial estate."

However, members were told that highway officers were satisfied with the proposed conditions and were not objecting to the scheme. Chris Elliott, head of development control, said: "We're not oblivious to concerns, but the highway authority will not support any refusal based on the detrimental impact of extra traffic."

A report to councillors said: "The site is surrounded by areas of woodland. The agents for the applicants believe the woodland provides a substantial buffer between the estate and residential properties."

After the meeting Mr Stockton said: "The existing set-up is just about manageable. But the applicants are planning to more than double the size of the estate by building an extra 38 units - and the only sensible access is through Fordingbridge town centre.

"Everyone is against the scheme except the highway authority."