MORE than 20 new low cost homes will be built in New Milton to help overcome a desperate shortage of social housing.

New Forest District Council's housing development control committee has just approved Western Challenge Housing Association's scheme to build 21 homes where the Churchill Court sheltered housing project once stood.

Churchill Court, on the corner of Gore Road and Davis Field, was a sub-standard block of council-run bed-sits for elderly people who, despite their protests, have now been moved into improved accommodation elsewhere in the area.

A previous application for general housing on the site was refused by members of the planning committee because local councillors did not like the design of the block of eight flats.

The revised plans, which show a pitched roof and bay windows to the flats, did not meet the approval of New Milton Town Council planning committee which said the development would be out of character and lead to loss of light and privacy.

Local district councillors were also unhappy with the amended plans.

Becton Ward's Cllr Paul Woods said: "It's a vast improvement on the previous proposal but the very large block on the end is out of character."

Bashley Ward's Cllr Alan Rice said he thought the flats were too tall and represented an intensification of use.

He said: "I would prefer one storey less."

Brockenhurst's Cllr Maureen Holding claimed the development would not provide children with adequate play facilities and critcised the density of the scheme, which comprises eight flats, a detached house, three pairs of semis and a terrace of six houses.

"We don't want to cram people into two-bedroom flats. People need housing and it's important they get it, but it should be the best we can provide," she said.

Council chief planning officer Chris Elliott said the 13 houses would have their own gardens and flats residents would have an amenity area.

The committee approved the application by a substantial majority.