CONTROVERSIAL plans to redevelop land near two New Forest schools have been thrown out amid fears that the scheme would put pupils at risk.

An application to build five houses and a new access road at Foxhills, Ashurst, was unanimously rejected by members of the district planning committee.

The proposed site is just around the corner from Foxhills infant and junior schools.

Sally Arnold, chairman of Ashurst and Colbury Parish Council, told the committee: "The vehicle access to and from the site is a major concern.

"The proposed new road is just 50 metres from the only entrance to the two schools, which are attended by 700 children.

"A large number of pupils will have to pass or cross the new junction.

"This will create an unnecessary hazard. We don't want even more cars on this particular rat-run."

Committee chairman Pat Wyeth echoed concerns about the potential risk to pupils.

She said: "Having just spent two weeks on the school run, I can't see that any addition to an already large problem would be any help at all."

A report to councillors said the authority had received nine letters of objection from people worried about road safety issues and other potential problems.

The application, by Drew Smith Homes, was the latest in a series of attempts to redevelop the land.

After the meeting Mike Espezel, head teacher of Foxhills Junior School, said: "We wouldn't like to see anything that encouraged more traffic to the area."