DEVELOPERS have launched a second attempt to transform a 23-bed hotel in the centre of a picturesque New Forest village.

PegasusLife has submitted plans to provide 24 apartments for older residents by converting the old Watersplash Hotel in Brockenhurst.

The Winchester-based company is planning to turn the existing complex into flats and build villas in the grounds.

It comes less than a year after civic chiefs rejected plans to provide 27 flats, saying a proposed extension to the hotel would create a huge “industrial style” development.

A PegasusLife spokesman described the new proposal as “fundamentally different” from the scheme that was thrown out last summer. He said the proposed extension had been replaced by smaller villas and cottages, reinforcing the status of a building that was of local interest.

“The new villas are well separated from the existing building and set down a slope,” he said.

The original proposal was turned down by the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) after sparking objections from conservation groups.

Maureen Holding, district councillor for Brockenhurst, said: “This is a large, overbearing building that looks totally industrial and out of keeping.

“The Watersplash was a lovely hotel. When I look at what’s there now and what’s being proposed I could almost weep.”

Barry Rickman, leader of the district council, added: “If ever there was a case for saying ‘back to the drawing board’ this is it.”

The committee’s deputy chairman, Leo Randall, added: “It would take an awful lot of work to make this even remotely acceptable.”