Two people have appealed to the planning inspectorate after New Forest District Council refused an application to build a one-bedroom bungalow in their garden.

Mr and Mrs Lord submitted an application in July 2024 to build a "small retirement" bungalow within the garden at 2 Cranbrook Cottages on Southampton Road in Hythe,

An old concrete garage currently sits in the garden, and the design and access statement lodged said that it would be demolished as it is "not suitable for modern vehicles".

The garden is also home to a "large timber out building", which also would have been knocked down as part of the development.

The proposed bungalow was "designed" to suit a "retirement couple" or act as a starter home for younger people, with a garden sized to reflect that.

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Access to the new building would have been obtained through Alexandra Road where an existing driveway sites.

It would have also provided parking for two vehicles.

After objections from local residents and from NFDC councillor Alex Wade, who said the proposal was "out of keeping with the character and appearance" of the area, the plans were refused.

NFDC planning officers said that the application site fell within an area "at high risk of flooding" and a new dwelling in the area was therefore "inappropriate and unacceptable".

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The development was therefore considered to be "at significant and undue risk of flooding".

Officers also said that the development would have a "cramped and discordant appearance" and that the design of the property would not "reflect" the "well spaced built character" of the surrounding area.

But an appeal has now been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.

Any comments that were made at original application stage will be forwarded to the Inspector and the appellant and will be taken into account by the Inspector when determining the appeal.

The planning inspectorate will now make a decision on the application, and all representations submitted must be received by June 10.