A private school has been given permission to build an overflow car park after nearly 20 people backed the bid.

Ballard School in New Milton will now build an overflow car park on its lower playing field.

Some 18 people wrote in to New Forest District Council to say the car park would address traffic flow and parking issues, enhance safety and efficiency, reduce residential parking overflow, and replace an outdated facility while protecting nearby nature areas.

Planning permission was granted by the council with conditions to be met by Ballard School Ltd before construction can begin.

The car park will be located at the school on Fernhill Lane, New Milton.

The development must commence within three years from the date of permission.

The school is required to adhere to a series of conditions aimed at ensuring the development does not adversely impact the surrounding environment.

One of the key conditions is the submission and approval of a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP).

The CEMP should outline measures to mitigate potential negative impacts on the nearby ecologically sensitive Pond Copse Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).

These measures include tree protection, appropriate storage and disposal of construction materials, dust suppression, and the prevention of chemical or fuel run-off into nearby ponds.

The plan must also provide for noise, visual, and vibrational impact control, mammal ramps for open excavations, and lighting measures to ensure boundary habitats are not illuminated.

Additionally, a landscaping scheme, including the specification for new planting and areas for hard surfacing, must also be submitted and approved before development begins.

The school is also required to give three working days' notice to the local planning authority's tree officer to inspect tree protection measures at a pre-commencement site meeting.

Trees on the site, as marked on the approved plans, must be protected during all site clearance, demolition, and building works.

No external lighting is permitted on the site to protect the area's amenities.

The planning permission was officially granted on December 20.

Ballard School Ltd submitted the application through Simpson Hilder Associates on December 8, 2023.