NEW Forest councillors have rejected an attempt to ease the crisis caused by the growing shortage of care home places for the elderly.

A multi-million-pound plan to extend the Engleburn Rest Home, New Milton, was defeated by just one vote at a meeting of the district council's planning committee.

The 26-bed home is full and is having to turn away 15 would-be residents a week.

Its application to provide an extra 50 beds was supported by Hampshire social services, which said the proposed extensions were "desperately needed for the local community".

Several members of the committee also spoke out in support of the £2m scheme.

Brockenhurst councillor Maureen Holding said: "We have lost more than 700 care home beds in Hampshire, and yet the elderly population is increasing."

New Milton member Alan Rice referred to the Engleburn plan as a major investment in the town.

However, a report to councillors said the application contravened planning policies that aimed to limit the size of rest homes on Green Belt land.

Planning officer Chris Elliott confirmed that proposed alterations to the district local plan would be discussed at a public inquiry that was due to start in September.

He added: "An emerging policy is more generous towards the extension of existing nursing homes.

"However, the policy has been the subject of significant objections and should be given only limited weight pending the outcome of the inquiry."

The application was rejected by ten votes to nine.

After the meeting Engleburn proprietor Maureen Grey said: "Hopefully the council's existing policy will change in September."