Developer plans to demolish front of Lyndhurst Park Hotel

Burry & Knight was given the go-ahead to demolish the Lyndhurst Park Hotel after vowing to retain the facade, which Sir Arthur Conan Doyle helped redesign in 1912.

Sir Arthur was a frequent visitor to the area and briefly lived in Minstead, where he and his wife are buried.

Most of the hotel has already been torn down as part of a multi-million-pound scheme to transform the site by building 79 homes.

Now Burry & Knight, part of Hoburne Developments, has applied for planning permission to demolish the section it has previously pledged to preserve.

Burry & Knight says the front of the hotel is in a poor state of repair and in danger of collapsing (Image: Newsquest)

A structural report submitted to the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) says the building stood vacant for a long time - "unheated and unmaintained" - before it was bought by Hoburne in 2019.

It adds: "A section has partially self-demolished and further sections of the building appear to be in danger of collapse in the near future."

READ MORE: Former Lyndhurst Park Hotel demolished to make way for almost 80 homes and three shops

Burry & Knight is promising to recreate the facade if its plan to knock down the existing structure is approved.

A design and access statement that accompanies the application says: "Visually there will be no discernible difference between the approved scheme and that now proposed."

A heritage statement adds: "The building has only low architectural and low-moderate historic interest derived almost entirely from its association with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

"Due to structural failure, the building requires demolition and a like-for-like design is proposed that respects the former scheme."

Part of the former Lyndhurst Park Hotel collapsed in 2020 - six years after it closed (Image: Supplied)

In a statement, Paul Campbell, director of development at Hoburne, blamed the "years of disrepair" that occurred before Burry & Knight became involved.

He said additional damage was caused when part of the building collapsed, which meant removing and rebuilding the historic section of the hotel was the only viable option.

"Our plans show the design of the replacement building will reflect the scheme that has already been approved."

But Lyndhurst councillor Hilary Brand said: "Some people will be very disappointed."

NPA member David Harrison said it was always necessary to look "very carefully" at any new plan submitted by a developer who had to alter a previously approved proposal.

"The planners will need to know what has materially changed since the original permission was granted," he said.

"If the developer can demonstrate a justification, and provide necessary assurances about the new proposal, then that may be agreed.”