A plan to extend a listed 17th-century thatched cottage at Crawley, near Winchester, has won approval despite opposition.

The scheme, at Pitter Cottage, Peach Hill Lane, involves adding a single-storey, modern, glass extension to the rear, demolishing existing outbuildings to make way for a double garage and building a new garden room. The application was previously rejected by the committee in March on the grounds that the extension was too large and on advice from the conservation officer that the garage and store were too close to ash and beech trees in the garden.

Planning officer, Sian Proudlock, said that in the revised plan, the buildings had been positioned further away to protect the trees and the width of the extension had been reduced.

"It's felt this is a much more appropriate scale of extension," she said.

Objecting to the scheme, neighbour, Christine Fincham, pointed out that the cottage was photographed by visitors from all over the world.

"The proposal is far below the standard that a cottage of such an age should command," she added, describing the alterations as "a glass box bolted onto the back".

The parish council had objected, claiming the alterations were out of keeping and did not conform to the Village Design Statement. However, the officers disagreed and took the view that it complied with the VDS aim of encouraging innovation and the retaining of trees.

Cecily Sutton, member for Colden Common, said she applauded the scheme. "I think it's a very interesting way of enhancing the cottage," she added.

Frank Pearson, member for Swanmore, said: "Its modernity contrasts very well with the original building."

Chairman of the committee, Georgina Busher, said: "I don't like it. It's an unfortunate addition to a beautiful cottage. I don't feel you should mess about with a building like this but it's about personal taste really."