Celebrity chef Bradley Green celebrates after plans to develop part of The Lord Bute in Highcliffe are thrown out by BCP Council

A celebrity restaurateur is celebrating after plans to develop The Lord Bute Hotel were thrown out.

Chef Bradley Green, who appeared on Four in The Bed earlier this year, said after the refusal by BCP Council planners was announced: “The decision didn’t come as a surprise. It’s been quite the saga, but at least we can now focus on moving forwards.”

A spokesperson for The Lord Bute added: “The message is clear. The Lord Bute remains open, thriving, and as dedicated as ever to providing exceptional dining, service and hospitality in the heart of Highcliffe.”

In February the A&T told how an application to demolish part of the hotel site to make way for six homes had been submitted by Elliott Heron Ltd.

It wanted to create two three-bedroom homes and four four-bedroom homes on the Lymington Road site by demolishing part of the East Lodge, a Grade II building beside the restaurant.

The chef, who is also director of The Lord Bute, told how worried customers had phoned asking if The Lord Bute was closing.

But Bradley, who worked alongside Marco Pierre White before launching his own restaurant Green’s, said it “was not going anywhere”.

BCP planners said the company had failed to demonstrate how the works would protect the special architectural and historic significance of the Grade II listed lodge.

They also found there was “no convincing justification or public benefit” to outweigh the harm to the building.

Elliott Heron Ltd will be appealing the decision.

The spokesperson for The Lord Bute said: “If permission were ever granted, there would then be a further three-year window to begin any development.

“We can’t stop landowners appealing and applying for planning, the land has been sold and re-sold several times over the years, each time with the intention to develop the land which has historically always been refused.

“The landlord may or may not appeal the council’s decision and offer a short lease, which he knows we would reject, in an attempt to bolster a future planning bid, but that is out of our hands. For now, what everyone needs to know is simple.

“The Lord Bute is not being developed This means The Lord Bute will continue to welcome guests, including for our Christmas and New Year celebrations.”