CAMPAIGNERS have lost their battle to halt the expansion of a "noisy" nursing home in a New Forest conservation area.

New Forest District Council has approved an application by Sentinel Health Care to build one- and two-storey extensions to Fritham House, Fritham.

The council had received 13 letters of objection to the scheme.

Protesters said the application amounted to inappropriate development in a conservation area, and would also increase an existing noise nuisance.

They also claimed that the proposed extensions would put extra pressure on the local water and sewerage system.

But the application was supported by the district council's development control sub-committee after both sides had put their case.

Objectors were represented by Dr Catherine Atkins, of Fritham Court, Fritham, who said the scheme would devalue the conservation area.

She said: "Fritham is a uniquely sensitive part of the New Forest.

"But light pollution caused by security lights at the nursing home has long been a problem, and local people have also complained about noise."

Sentinel Health Care was represented by Al Donnelly, who stressed that the company was not planning to increase the number of residents.

He said the proposed extensions would enable it to meet new regulations, which stated that most nursing home bedrooms should have only one occupant.

"The only alternative to enlarging the building would be to reduce the number of residents from 40 to 30," added Mr Donnelly.

"If we did that we would probably have to reduce our staff by nine or ten."

Chris Elliott, head of development control, said planning policies allowed limited extensions to nursing homes if the additions were needed to improve standards.

The application was approved, subject to conditions.