New Forest National Park Authority set to show green light for Lyndhurst Park Hotel redevelopment
THE green light could be shown next week for a major redevelopment of the derelict Lyndhurst Park Hotel.
The scheme for 79 homes, mostly flats, is due to be discussed by the national park authority’s planning committee at Lymington Community Centre on Tuesday 16th November.
An agenda report shows it has been earmarked for approval in principle, subject to securing legal agreements between the NPA and Burry & Knight Ltd, linked to building company Hoburne Developments.
The proposals for the site at the bottom of High Street, near Bolton's Bench, include three commercial units.
Eight of the dwellings would be "affordable" shared ownership properties, the report said, as it was judged the scheme cannot "realistically" deliver any more.
Although the site is allocated under the NPA's Local Plan of development policies for around 50 dwellings, the costs of delivering housing there justified permitting more in total, the report added.
There have been objections from 63 people as well as the neighbouring Ashurst and Colbury Parish Council.
Concerns have included "unsympathetic" designs, and the loss of a former tourism facility and elements of the building which were designed by Sherlock Holmes author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – prompting an objection by the Victorian Society.
The developer has promised to retain part of the structure, however, which is not listed.
Fears about extra pressure on the New Forest from so many new residents were also raised by the verderers, who said the 115 parking spaces provided would be too few.
However, the new housing has been backed by Lyndhurst Parish Council and 19 supporters, praising the design and the loss of an "eyesore". Others welcomed local employment and new housing.
The NPA report said: "The central apartment block would be broken up with detailing to reflect the local vernacular of the Arts and Crafts styles seen on other local buildings.
"Compared to previously refused applications on the same site, this proposal has a lower quantum of overall development and importantly retains historic elements of the existing building."
Proposed conditions of approval include ecological mitigation for the Solent and New Forest Special Protection Areas, Special Areas of Conservation and Ramsar sites, with a financial contribution of £277,438.
The NPA report said the original building dates from the early 1800s and was built as a private country house, known as Glasshayes. It was later extended in Victorian times, and remodelled by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1912 when it was used as a hotel.
As reported in the A&T, two efforts for 86 and 90 retirement homes by previous owners failed.
