CONTROVERSIAL plans to replace a hotel with retirement flats have been thrown out after sparking more than 500 objections.

The New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) has rejected an application to bulldoze the landmark Lyndhurst Park Hotel and redevelop the site by building 74 apartments.

Plans submitted by Hampshire-based PegasusLife have been refused by NPA officers under delegated powers.

In a report they said the scheme, which also included 12 holiday lets, amounted to an extensive form of urban development that was “totally at odds” with the character of the site and its surroundings.

It added: “Insufficient importance has been given to the architectural and social history of the site.”

The 60-bed hotel closed in 2014 with the loss of more than 20 jobs and was bought by PegasusLife, which is reported to have paid more than £5 million for the property.