A MULTI-MILLION-pound expansion plan for one of the New Forest's most popular hotels has been unveiled.

Owners of the exclusive Rhinefield House Hotel in Brockenhurst want to extend the building by adding a state-of-the-art glass-fronted wing.

The proposed extension would increase the number of rooms from 32 to 48.

Staff at Handpicked Hotels in Kent, which owns Rhinefield House, say the new wing is vital because the hotel is so popular.

A modern design has been

chosen because the glass will pick up a reflection of the surrounding forest. Staff are confident the plan will gain approval from New Forest District Council.

Colin Farquharson, of Hand-picked Hotels, said: "We feel that in having a glass-fronted wing the trees of the Forest will become predominant.

"The extension will merge into the background rather than become a big lump of concrete and brick. Rhinefield House is in the heart of the New Forest and we are very sympathetic to that."

Rhinefield House was built in 1896 as a home for Mabel Walker-Munro.

An initial application for a 25-room wing at the hotel was withdrawn last month.

A second application for just 16 rooms, in keeping with council policy to limit development in the Forest, has now been submitted to New Forest District Council.

The first application did not result in any objections from Hampshire Wildlife Trust, English Nature or English Heritage.

A council spokesman said planning officers would consider the revised scheme on April 30.