Tourism leader backs hotel's 'make or break' expansion plans

A NEW Forest tourism leader has thrown his support behind “make or break” plans for a major expansion at one of the district’s most high-profile hotels.

The backing is for Chris and Alison Wilson who own the four-star Balmer Lawn Hotel, just off the A337 in Brockenhurst. They want to build an extension to increase its bedrooms by 70% – growing the number from 56 to 94.

The couple say it is vital to secure the long-term future of their business and would create 22 jobs during the summer. About 60 full-time staff work there now.

Plans submitted to the national park authority have so far attracted 13 comments in favour, including one from Anthony Climpson, the chief executive of local tourism body Go New Forest. There have been no objections.

Mr Climpson said the group “believes the success of this planning application represents a make or break opportunity for the Balmer Lawn Hotel to provide the special level and quality of provision which matches the special quality and needs of the national park”.

Without expanding, the hotel would miss out on the economies of scale required to meet the demands of today’s highly competitive hospitality industry, he argued.

Mr Climpson wrote: “Balmer Lawn's present owners have spent the last two decades working tirelessly and with considerable personal investment to take the hotel from being a broken-down example of everything that can wrong in hospitality to a shining example of the very best in quality and service that it is today.

“However, the property suffers from many constraints to its capability to improve further.

“In today's business environment standing still is not an option so it is now critical that the business is able to take the next step in its renaissance before the current lack of scale and facility undermines its very future as a viable business.”

At a time of reduced public funding, Mr Climpson said the New Forest would increasingly rely on the strength of its local economy for its future sustainability, and he urged the national park authority to “provide leadership” in supporting development of its remaining hotels.

He said: “There are precious few local alternative wealth creating sectors in our local economy and support for tourism is paramount for all our futures.”

The proposals, which have been two years in the planning, are for a two-storey extension and pair of new buildings at the back containing 38 rooms.

They also show parking spaces increased from 78 to 129, new staff accommodation, and a one-way route around the hotel with a second access onto Balmer Lawn Road.

The Wilsons bought the Balmer Lawn from Hilton in 1997, raising it from a three to four-star establishment 11 years later.

The couple’s new project follows a refusal in 2016 of a scheme to build six houses behind to raise funds to enlarge their business. A decision is expected by the NPA later this year.