A SCHEME to knockdown and rebuild the wing of a large country house near Stockbridge has been given the go ahead by Test Valley councillors.

They unanimously approved the proposals submitted by Nigel Wolstenholme at Hoplands House in King’s Somborne.

His approved plans include building a replacement west wing and enlarging the residential curtilage to incorporate the site of the old wine store at the property which is to the south-east of the village and close to the old Roman road that linked Winchester with Salisbury.

Acknowledging that the proposed extension was a “significant size” planning officer Paul Goodman told members of the southern area planning committee that he did not consider it to be “disproportionate” to the main building.

“The building is not considered to represent overdevelopment of the site and the overall design of the extension, which is conditioned to respond positively to the character and appearance of the existing dwelling and surrounding countryside,” said Mr Goodman.