A NEW Forest village is celebrating after a 300-signature petition helped persuade planners to let a tea room open at its local garden centre shop.

The Garden Shop is the only shop in the village of Hyde and when owner Colin Morgan asked New Forest council for permission to open the tea room, things didn't look too hopeful.

Planning officers recommended it should be turned down on the grounds that it would cause increased traffic and extra recreational activity in a rural area.

But Hyde Parish Council sent a letter of support, which meant it had to go before New Forest District Council's planning development control committee and by the time the committee dealt with the issue, the 300-signature petition was on the table.

Further support came from parish councillor and retired village doctor Brian Waldman, who told the committee: "The parish council was advised that this would be refused, but we believe very strongly that we should support it because we feel the overall benefits to the community would be considerable."

Mr Morgan's planning consultant Colin Burt pointed out that the additional business brought in by a tea room would add to the viability of the existing shop.

Committee vice-chairman Ann Drake warned that the tea room would go against council policies and suggested: "You'd have coachloads of people coming there - it's a nice stopover. It's a dangerous way to go along in breaking our policies."

But head of development control Chris Elliott said it would be supporting an existing business.

After permission had been given, Mr Morgan said: "The support from the village was very strong and we are grateful to everyone."