Contractors have begun to bulldoze the most historic part of a landmark building with links to the creator of Sherlock Holmes.

Developers were given the go-ahead to bulldoze the Lyndhurst Park Hotel on condition they retained the facade, which was redesigned with the help of legendary author Arthur Conan Doyle in 1912.

But planners subsequently agreed that the facade could be demolished as part of a scheme to provide 79 homes on the site.

The rest of the 59-bed hotel, which dominated the eastern entrance to Lyndhurst, has already been torn down.

Earlier this year Burry & Knight, part of Hoburne Developments, applied for planning permission to demolish the section it had previously agreed to preserve.

Contractors have begun to demolish the facade of the Lyndhurst Park Hotel, which is being replaced by almost 80 homesContractors have begun to demolish the facade of the Lyndhurst Park Hotel, which is being replaced by almost 80 homes (Image: Newsquest)

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

It added: "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: Planning chiefs raise concerns over what remains of historic hotel in New Forest National Park

Burry & Knight has repeatedly promised to recreate the façade.

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

A heritage statement added: "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."

Contractors have begun to demolish the facade of the Lyndhurst Park Hotel, which is being replaced by almost 80 homesContractors have begun to demolish the facade of the Lyndhurst Park Hotel, which is being replaced by almost 80 homes (Image: Newsquest)

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."

READ MORE: Topping out ceremony held in Lyndhurst as historic hotel replaced by scores of new homes

Plans to demolish the facade were approved by the NPA in October.

Members of the planning committee heard from the applicant’s planning agent, Giles Moir, of Chapman Lily Planning, and Julie Phelps, of structural engineers Calcinotto.

Contractors have begun to demolish the facade of the Lyndhurst Park Hotel, which is being replaced by almost 80 homesContractors have begun to demolish the facade of the Lyndhurst Park Hotel, which is being replaced by almost 80 homes (Image: Newsquest)

A report by Calcinotto recommended the building be demolished, followed by a complete rebuild.

Ms Phelps said significant water penetration occurred before Hoburne Developments bought the site in 2019, adding that parts of the hotel were in danger of collapsing in the near future.

The Victorian Society objected to the proposal, saying historic parts of the locally-listed building would be lost rather than restored.