Beaulieu given go-ahead to dismantle monorail station

The award-winning National Motor Museum at Beaulieu has received consent to dismantle the metal-framed building, which is situated in a conservation area.

Opened by The Wombles almost half a century ago, the mile-long monorail gives visitors a bird's eye view of the attraction.

The train travels through an opening in the roof of the main museum building, passing above hundreds of exhibits on the floors below, before emerging at the other end a few moments later.

Plans to demolish a station on the monorail at the National Motor Museum have been approved (Image: Beaulieu Enterprises)

Now the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) has approved plans to demolish the station on the line's southern loop.

Beaulieu Enterprises aims to dismantle the "under-utilised" building and replace it with a new planting area.

Nearby buildings include historic Palace House, which was opened to the public in 1952. A collection of classic cars displayed in the entrance hall evolved into what is now the National Motor Museum. The ruins of the 13th century Beaulieu Abbey are also nearby.

READ MORE: One of the two stations on Beaulieu's monorail will be torn down under plans submitted to the NPA

The application to demolish the station said: "There is no perceived threat to the heritage assets that lie beyond the immediate application site.

"As the existing structure is prefabricated, it can be dismantled in sections and removed from the site as individual elements via the existing hard paved road network within the museum campus."

Plans to demolish one of the stations on the monorail at the National Motor Museum have been approved (Image: Beaulieu Enterprises)

The NPA's assessment of the application described the monorail as the oldest in England.

It added: "The south station is within the conservation area, adjacent to the formal gardens and within 100m of various Grade I-listed buildings, including Palace House and the Abbey Church and cloisters.

"The monorail itself would not be affected.

"The key consideration is whether the loss of the station structure would adversely affect the character and appearance of the conservation area or the setting of any of the listed buildings in the vicinity.

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"The station has a distinctly utilitarian appearance and does not contribute to the character of the conservation area.

"It is considered the removal of this large and dominating feature would enhance the formal gardens and the setting of the listed buildings.

"Its removal would not have an adverse effect on the enjoyment of the monorail, which would remain in place and enable visitors to appreciate the heritage landscape from above."

Beaulieu Parish Council had supported the proposal, saying it would benefit the appearance of the area.