FURIOUS residents have hit out at plans to double the size of a controversial industrial estate in the New Forest.

Major modifications to the District Plan include a recommendation to enlarge the Gordleton Pit Industrial Estate near Lymington by 3.5 hectares.

The proposal has angered local residents, who say heavy lorries are already causing a major hazard on the narrow country lanes that surround the site.

Members of the newly-formed Gordleton Residents Action Group took their campaign to a meeting of the council's ruling Cabinet.

Protest leader Jill Honeybun said the proposed development would have a serious impact on Sway Road, Pennington, and an Iron Age hill fort known as Buckland Rings.

Ms Honeybun added: "Gordleton is part of a buffer zone between the built-up area and the open forest and should be given the greatest possible protection.

"I was appalled when I learned of the proposal to double the size of the industrial estate.

"Lorries already arrive and depart at all hours of the day and night.

"Our homes are only a few feet from the highway. This wasn't a problem when Sway Road was a quiet country lane, but it's become one of the busiest C roads in Hampshire.

"For the past 15 years the needs of industry have been placed before the needs of local residents. It's time to redress the balance."

Councillors claimed the authority's own planning staff were against any expansion of the industrial estate because of its inadequate access.

Tom Russell, Cabinet member for economy and planning, said the site was bordered by four of the most notorious lanes in the New Forest.

Lymington member Kevin Ault added that Sway Road was a narrow route with a history of accidents involving commercial vehicles.

However, council leader Simon Hayes defended the decision to include Gordleton Pit in the list of proposed amendments to the district plan.

"It will give us an opportunity to consider the issue in detail and draw a line under it once and for all," he said.