Plan to transform Lyndhurst Park Hotel site approved by NPA

Last year the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) supported plans to replace the derelict Lyndhurst Park Hotel with 79 homes, subject to the completion of a legal agreement.

The agreement has now been signed, paving the way for work on the multi-million-pound scheme to begin.

Plans to replace the derelict Lyndhurst Park Hotel with 79 homes have been approved. (Image: Chris Yandell, Newsquest)

In 1912 the hotel was redesigned with the help of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, who lived nearby.

It closed in 2014 and has been branded an eyesore by people living in the area. Part of the three-storey complex collapsed in 2020.

Burry and Knight's application to transform the site was approved in principle by the NPA in November last year. Members heard that the hotel's historic facade would be retained but more modern extensions would be torn down.

Cllr David Harrison said: "The design is terrific. This is probably going to be the best opportunity we will ever see to develop the site in a sympathetic way."

Fellow NPA member Sue Bennison added: "The site has become rather an eyesore and is looking a very sad place indeed."

Plans to replace the derelict Lyndhurst Park Hotel with 79 homes have been approved. (Image: Chris Yandell, Newsquest)

The application sparked 63 letters of objection. Protesters said a "significant portion" of the area designed by Conan Doyle would be lost. They also claimed the proposed development would be too tall as well as being out of character.

But the scheme also resulted in 19 letters of support from people who said it would remove an eyesore as well as providing homes and jobs.

In a statement, Burry and Knight said: "To finally achieve full planning consent is great news for the local community of Lyndhurst.

“As a local family-run business with connections to the New Forest, we are incredibly proud to now be able to advance our plans for the transformation of the site.

“We look forward to starting construction and bringing new life and energy back into the former Lyndhurst Park Hotel.”

The hotel's historic facade is due to be retained, but more modern extensions will be demolished. Picture: Burry and Knight (Image: Hoburne Development)

Lyndhurst Parish Council added: "We are pleased to report that we are finally going see some action on the site."

Posting on social media, the council said demolition work would "probably" begin at the end of this month.