A NATIONAL chain's plans for a new hotel in Ringwood have been questioned by residents and councillors.

Premier Inn has submitted an application for a four-storey, 84-bedroom, hotel at Forest Gate Business Park, at Yeoman Road off Christchurch Road.

Ringwood Town Council's planning committee has recommended refusal of the application for the former Wellworthy site.

At a recent meeting, members raised a number of concerns over the design and scale of the hotel.

Residents at the meeting also had issues with the negative influence the proposed hotel could have on local businesses - although this could not be put forward as a recommendation for refusal by Ringwood town council.

New Forest District Council has the final say on the plans.

Tim Ward, vice-chair of Ringwood Town Council's planning committee, said the council are in favour of a Premier Inn opening in Ringwood, but did not support the submitted application.

"A Premier Inn would be an asset to the town. People coming to Ringwood have had difficulty in finding a place to stay," Cllr Ward said.

"As a committee our opinion was this proposal at present is far too tall and too imposing.

"Personally I think it looks like a prison block.

"They are trying to cram the maximum building on the land and it does not provide adequate parking."

The plans makes use of two currently vacant plots on the estate.

One would be used for the hotel and parking, while the other is intended to be used as overflow parking for the hotel and other users of Forest Gate Business Park.

In their objection, Ringwood Town Council highlighted, despite the "overflow parking" facility, the plans do not meet parking requirements with just 68 designated spaces for hotel guests and employees.

The parking standards for the area specify there should be one parking space per bedroom.

The site is currently classified for light industrial/warehouse/office use, but New Forest District Council have confirmed use as a hotel is be acceptable as a suitable alternative in local plan policy.

A statement supporting the application written by GP Commercial Investment, says: "The principle of the development proposals is acceptable and does not conflict with adopted site specific policy relating to the Forest Gate Business Park.

"The development will enhance the services on offer and support the vitality and function of the wider site as well as supplementing the level of tourist accommodation available within the town; which it is acknowledged is lacking."