THE firm behind a proposed multi-million-pound redevelopment in Lymington has pledged that work will begin within months – but its latest vision has been blasted as a “Benidorm bolt-on” and “a complete nightmare”.

Redrow Homes plans to build 288 apartments on the seven- acre former Bridge Road chicken factory site overlooking Lymington River.

Following New Forest District Council advice, Redrow has now presented its plans – already branded as “brutalist” by the Lymington Society’s Dr Donald Mackenzie – to the public.

Boldre parish councillor and Walhampton farmer Brian Goodall raged against the scheme, which he claimed will increase traffic jams and slow emergency vehicles.

“It will be a nightmare, a complete nightmare,” he claimed.

County councillor Adrian Evans preferred a plan already in place and ready to go, which features homes with pitched roofs.

But whichever plan goes ahead, Redrow managing director Barry Stiles said: “Rest assured, development will commence on the site within six months.”

At least 500 people checked out the plans and filled in questionnaires at Lymington Community Centre on Saturday.

Mr Stiles said: “The idea was to come back and give the local people a chance to contribute to what is going to be eventually built – and so far it has been fantastic.

“Now we can go away and come back to Lymington with something we will be proud of.”

This latest design is for modern apartments with improved public access to the waterfront.

There is also a reduction in housing density in relation to former plans, plus more riverside landscaping.

But the Lymington Society’s Jonathan Hutchinson said: “It is not the place to put dense concrete cubes – this is a Benidorm bolt-on in a town that is definitely not Benidorm.”