PLANNING chiefs have approved proposals to build a garage beside a listed building in the New Forest National Park.
The Lymington-based National Park Authority (NPA) supported an application relating to the former Burley Chapel, which was built in the early 1840s.
The building, which is in a conservation, area, was used as a church and a school before being listed in 1987 and turned into a house.
Neighbour Simon Lillywhite criticised the garage plan in a letter to the NPA.
Referring to amended plans he said the driveway would be extended into an area "very close" to the boundary between the two homes.
"Being only a short distance from our property this will significantly increase noise levels experienced in our living room, kitchen/dining area and the two upstairs bedrooms," he said.
A report to NPA members said permission was sought for an open double garage with a smaller workshop/store.
It added: "The impact upon the setting of the listed building would be acceptable provided the facing and roofing materials are of a suitable quality.
"The garage would be well screened in views from Chapel Lane as there is a mature hedge along the roadside boundary.
"The building would be visible in views from the open Forest to the east, but it would not look out of character in its setting and would therefore preserve the existing character of the conservation area and the wider national park."
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