Burry & Knight Ltd submit new plans to New Forest National Park Authority to fully demolish historic Lyndhurst Park Hotel, including facade designed by Sherlock Holmes author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The developer building 79 homes at a former landmark Forest hotel now wants to demolish the whole structure – flying in the face of approved plans to remodel part of the site.

Building work at the old Lyndhurst Park Hotel is well under way after Burry and Knight Ltd, an arm of Hoburne Developments, was given the green light to develop the site, part of which had fallen in.

This approval in 2021 by the national park authority included the provision the hotel’s facade – designed by Sherlock Holmes author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1912 – be retained as part of the scheme.

Now, however, fresh plans have been submitted to the NPA asking for full demolition of the site, with the facade being rebuilt.

In the new application’s design and access statement, agent Giles Moir said: “Visually, there will be no discernable difference between the approved scheme and that now proposed. All of the detailing and revealing of historic features are retained as part of the revised proposal.”

A structural report was also submitted explaining why it was not possible to retain the existing building.

Mr Giles added: “Following a long period of vacancy unheated and unmaintained – and damage to the roof covering removal of lead and holes within roof lights prior to Hoburne purchasing the site at the end of October 2019 – the existing structure has endured significant water ingress and deteriorated to an extent that a section has partially self-demolished, and further sections of the building appear to be in danger of collapse in the near future.”

The statement revealed that since the first collapse in early January 2020, it had not been possible to enter the building due to significant health and safety risks. Drone surveys also showed the deterioration had continued, it said.

The design and access statement added: “As the building is not safe to either work within nor near due to risk of further collapse, no strengthening or façade retention works can be safely carried out.”

Earlier this year the NPA sent planning officers to the site to investigate claims by a resident that the developer had breached planning controls. However, while the authority admitted concerns over the condition of the building, it said “they do not constitute a breach” and no action was taken.

As part of the new plans, the rebuild would reinstate Conan Doyle’s design elements. This includes returning the turret detailing to its original design, reinstating crenels and sliding sash windows, demolishing the ‘Lyndhurst Park Hotel’ sign and entrance, in favour of the original porch design, and reinstating gothic arched windows.

The design and access statement concludes: “The design-led approach has put the elements of the building of historic interest at the heart of the scheme, with the remaining blocks complementing it extremely well.

“The high-quality design and choice of materials would be an excellent fit, with respectful nods towards the Arts and Crafts history of Lyndhurst balanced well with achieving a standalone scheme.”

In a statement, Hoburne Group said: “After professional assessment from structural engineers, it has been deemed that the facade and internal structural walls of the hotel are not capable of carrying the originally planned works. The amended plans see the removal and rebuild of the facade, the rebuilding will replicate the scheme that was approved in September 2022.”

Paul Campbell, director of development at Hoburne, added: “Despite our best efforts to retain the hotel’s original historic facade, the years the hotel has spent in disrepair before being acquired by Burry & Knight Ltd in 2019 has ultimately meant that the core structure is not able to be retained.

“Further damage sustained as part of a partial collapse shortly after we took ownership of the site has meant that the removal of the facade and rebuilding the historical section of the building is our only viable option. Our plans show that the design of the replacement building will reflect the scheme that has already been approved.”

On the rebuild of the facade, Mr Campbell added: “We feel this will be a betterment which will preserve the historic value in full and will last for many more generations.”

The public have until 30th July to comment on the application, after which the NPA will make a decision.