AN application to knock down and rebuild the west wing of a house near Stockbridge has been given the go-ahead by Test Valley councillors.

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

His plans include enlarging the residential curtilage to incorporate the site of an old wine store at the property, which is to the south-east of the village.

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.