PLANS to build four new homes beside an art-deco house in a Hampshire village have again been rejected.

An appeal was lodged after New Forest District Council failed to determine the latest application relating to St Jude in Roman Road, Dibden Purlieu.

But government-appointed planning inspector Hollie Nicholls has dismissed the appeal.

Her report says: "Since the appeal was lodged the council has indicated that, had it been in a position to determine the application, it would have refused it for a single reason relating to its effect on the character and appearance of the area."

The scheme, like the previous proposal to build four homes on the site, would have resulted in the retention of St Jude.

Ms Nicholls's report says: "The site lies within the zones of influence of European Protected Sites.

"The potential for the development to have significant effects on the integrity of the European Protected Sites, both alone and in conjunction with other plans or projects, would principally arise from an increase in population.

"This is due to associated recreational disturbance, the generation of additional wastewater, and air pollution from additional vehicular movements."

The previous proposal to build houses beside St Jude was rejected by the council in 2019.