CONTROVERSIAL plans to destroy an "oasis of green" in a New Forest town have been thrown out by the district council following more than 1,200 objections.

Planning committee members rejected an application to replace the Fairwinds garden centre at Cannon Court, Lymington, with shops.

The application had resulted in 92 letters of protest and 1,237 slips objecting to the loss of the centre.

Committee members were lobbied by Lymington town councillor Flo Wiseman, who said Fairwinds was "an old and colourful oasis" behind the High Street.

Mrs Wiseman said Lymington's unique network of courts and alleyways off the High Street would be harmed if the proposed development was approved by the council.

She added: "Neighbouring properties would be adversely affected.

"There is already some noise and disturbance at night, and this would be exacerbated by the opening up of the area.

"The privacy of two properties would be eroded and the potential for criminal activity in their hitherto private courtyard increased."

Fairwinds occupies what's known locally as a burgage plot - a feudal strip of land dating from medieval times - and is said to be Lymington's last surviving agricultural business.

Lymington councillor Kevin Ault hit out at the application by the company Frobisher to redevelop the site.

He said: "I've seen better designs in paintings displayed on the walls of infant schools. It's the most banal and dreary development I have come across."

Planning officers recommended the committee to reject the application.

A report to councillors said: "The existing buildings are relatively low-key and do not have a significant visual impact on the area.

"The proposed new buildings would cover a larger area of the site and the bulk and height would be much more substantial.

"In addition, the design of the buildings is not appropriate to the sensitive location of the site, which is part of a conservation area."