CLIFFTOP campaigners have lost their battle to save a seafront hotel on the edge of the New Forest.

District councillors have approved plans to replace the Old Coastguard Hotel at Marine Drive East, Barton-on-Sea, with a block of four flats.

New Milton Town Council opposed the application.

The district council also received 21 letters from Barton residents, who expressed a long list of concerns about the potential impact of the scheme.

Members of the planning development control committee deferred the application in November, saying the proposed homes were too far forward.

Area planning officer Bob Hull told this month's meeting of the committee that the applicants had now agreed to build the flats further back.

He said the alteration would prevent the building from interfering with the view enjoyed by people in neighbouring Greenside Court.

But objectors made a last-ditch attempt to block the scheme.

Frederick Ashmead, of Greenside Court, said the committee would set a dangerous precedent if it approved the application.

He said seafront flats "swamped" the skyline at Milford - and warned that Barton would suffer a similar fate once one new block was allowed.

Becton councillor Paul Woods said: "Some progress has been made since issues were identified last month, but several problems have yet to be overcome."

The application was also opposed by New Milton member Ben Earwicker, who said 90 per cent of the site would be covered by buildings or hardstanding. He added: "The proposed development is too large for the site and out of character with existing homes on the seafront."

But the scheme was approved by ten votes to three.