Appeal lodged over New Forest District Council's refusal of garage on medieval burgage plot on Lymington High Street

REFUSAL to allow a garage to be built on a historic burgage plot in the centre of Lymington has been challenged at appeal.

The applicant, Mr Hiscox, wants to erect a detached three-bay garage to the rear of a Grade II listed property at 75 High Street which sits within Lymington’s conservation area.

New Forest District Council rejected the proposal on the grounds it would encroach on the medieval burgage plot – one of many recognised long, narrow plots that stretch back from the high street.

The officer’s report stated: “In combination with the recently approved detached dwelling at the northern end of the site, the development would represent a further and unacceptable erosion of the burgage plot which contributes positively to the character and appearance of the wider conservation area.”

Mr Hiscox said the “minor addition of an oak framed garage to serve the main residence of 75 High Street” had been proposed in this particular location so as to “minimise its impact when viewed from the rear of the site”, adding that the site “holds low conservational value in terms of ecology”.

But the national park authority’s archaeologist said the location of the proposed garage towards the rear of the plot was where historic features such as middens and wells might be expected.

There was potential, they said, for proposed groundworks to “negatively impact yet unre-corded archaeological remains”.

Comments should be sent to the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol by 21st March.