UP to 48 retirement flats will be built in Highcliffe after Churchill Retirement Living won two planning appeals.

Permission for two slightly different developments in Stuart Road was refused by Christchurch council following fierce opposition from local residents.

But the decisions were overruled following a three-day public inquiry. One plan is for 38 flats and the other for 48.

Now residents have spoken of their disappointment and said the construction of retirement homes will mean the average age of Highcliffe residents will be higher as a result.

The Highcliffe ward already has the joint highest median age of residents in England and Wales at 69 years.

"We are very disappointed that the considerable number of objections from local residents and their political representatives have seemingly been given little weight when arriving at these decisions" said resident Andrew Ellis.

"In the 33 years my family have lived in Highcliffe, we and our neighbours have witnessed an explosion in the number of retirement properties constructed in the area.

" The benefits of diversity are widely appreciated these days, but we are in danger of losing any real age diversity here in Highcliffe."

The complex will be built on a site currently occupied by either four or five bungalows and will comprise one and two-bedroom privately-owned retirement apartment and shared facilities for the over 60s.

Andrew Burgess, Planning Director of Churchill Retirement Living, said: "It is very frustrating that the appeals had to be lodged, causing delays in bringing forward a new retirement living development in Highcliffe, where there is a great need for older peoples housing.

"While some local residents were opposed to the proposals I believe that when they attended the Public Inquiry they realised we had a convincing case and that this is a high quality, well designed proposal."