CONTROVERSIAL plans for a crematorium on green belt land in Hampshire have been given the go-ahead – despite hundreds of objections to the scheme.

Civic chiefs have supported an outline application to build a privately-run facility on grazing land north of Great Woar Copse in New Milton.

It comes just days after placard-waving demonstrators braved heavy rain to stage a protest near the site.

Expected to cost more than £2 million, the proposed new crematorium will prevent mourners in the Lymington and New Milton area having to travel to existing facilities in Southampton and Bournemouth.

Bosses behind the scheme say it will also offer longer services, eliminating what they describe as the “conveyor-belt” system operating at busier sites.

But objectors lobbied the district council’s planning committee in a last-ditch attempt to defeat the scheme.

People living in the Stem Lane area say the proposed development will generate an “unacceptable” amount of traffic as well as resulting in the loss of green space. They are also worried about the potential impact on air quality and property values.

Campaigners were represented at the meeting by New Milton resident Kevin Rayment, who disputed the need for a new crematorium.

Mr Rayment said the Southampton and Bournemouth crematoriums both had spare capacity.

He also stressed that the Southampton facility was able to offer services longer than the traditional 30 minutes.

“The local community are not in favour of this development,” he said.

Cllr David Harrison added: “A much more senior politician than me once said ‘Brexit means Brexit’. In a similar way I say ‘Green belt means green belt’.”

Committee members heard that a total of 501 people had either sent letters of objection to the council or signed protest petitions.

But planning agent Lisa Jackson, representing the applicant, New Forest Crematorium Company, said the “unique bespoke design” would reflect the quality of the local environment.

Cllr Fran Carpenter supported the proposal, saying the new facility would provide the local community with choice and convenience.

Other members said mourners attending funerals at existing crematoriums were often faced with long journeys and heavy traffic.

Cllr Anna Rostand said: “It can quite stressful - I’ve actually missed the occasional service. Building on the green belt is always regrettable but this is a case of needs must.”

After further debate the application was approved by 12 votes to two.

But the decision must be ratified by the government and more detailed proposals will have to be approved by the council before work can start.