AN application to convert a Lyndhurst hotel into seven flats has been refused by the national park authority.
Smart Group Property wanted to extend the former 11-bedroom Rufus House Hotel on Southampton Road to accommodate two two-bedroom and five one-bedroom properties.
In a heritage and design statement by Sanders Design Services, the building was said to be of “local importance”, pointing out the “proposed alterations will respect and enhance the appearance of the building”.
A plan to convert the former Rufus House Hotel into flats has been turned down (picture: Google)
It added: “There will be no alterations to the main street scene on Southampton Road, and the views of the property from Queens Road will be enhanced by the removal of the unsightly metal staircase to the side elevation and the improvement to the rear elevation by the addition of the extensions.”
A building design and conservation officer had raised no objection to the proposal in the pre-application stage, saying they were “satisfied that the extensions would not adversely affect the character and appearance of the non-designated heritage asset, or surrounding conservation area”.
Neighbours living near the former guesthouse were split over the application.
One pointed out the lack of parking, saying: “Due to the size of the plot, there is no allocation for visitors or extra on-site parking, so any additional cars will have to be parked on Queens Road.
“Queens Road is already overcrowded with residents’ cars, plus those of walkers who cross the road to the forest, those who park and walk to work in the village, and local people who do not have on-site parking and park wherever they can.
“Through the spring, summer and autumn months, it is not uncommon for both sides of Queens Road, adjacent to Rufus House Hotel, to be lined with cars, creating a very narrow access for vehicles and causing a hazard when trying to turn in or pull out of Queens Road onto the very busy Southampton Road.“
Another resident said it was an “overdevelopment of the site”, adding there was a shortage of family homes in the village and that seven flats seemed “excessive” at the “expense of potential family homes”.
They continued: “The creation of more flats in Lyndhurst is not providing family homes, and therefore puts further pressure on the pricing of existing houses. Rufus House could be divided into two or three family homes/apartments which would better serve the community.”
But other neighbours were in favour, with one saying: “The hotel is no longer trading, the building has been off and on the market for five years without anyone prepared to take it on and the whole site needs to be properly maintained.
“This application provides the site with the long-overdue management and care needed now the hotel owners have retired.”
Another said: “In my opinion, the proposed rear extension design is well planned and thoughtful, it would enhance the facade of Rufus House. As the design of the rear (especially the top floor) is not quite in line with the quality of the front. I have no objections to the plans submitted for residential flats.”