PLANS for an 18 room hotel at a popular seaside pub, which boasts one of the most breathtaking views of the Solent, were attacked on the first day of a public inquiry.

Bosses at the Osborne View pub in Hill Head are appealing against a decision to deny planning permission for an expansion by joining the building and a neighbouring detached house to create a hotel.

Residents say that a hotel would ruin views from the Solent looking inland and block a spectacular view from behind the pub looking out on to the water.

They also fear it will set a precedent that could trigger a rush of large buildings which would ruin the quiet residential feel of the area.

Government appointed inspector Elizabeth Fieldhouse said: "We have to consider whether the proposal is an over development of the site and look at the effect of it on the character and appearance of the area."

Stephen Jupp, an independent planning consultant, said: "It is one of the most important views of the Solent. The building will be out of scale and over dominant and is harmful to the area's appearance.

"Such a large building will be wholly at odds with the overall character of the coastal zone. The existing building is out of place and this proposal will only exacerbate the problem."

Brenda Clapperton, secretary of Fareham Society, said: "It's going to create a completely alien view from the sea and from the land it's going to impinge on some of the important views out to sea that are important to Hill Head.

"This is the second time an appeal has been heard on this site. We're very worried about this happening in the future.

"We are extremely concerned about what has happened at Lee-on-the-Solent where lots of blocks of flats have gone in. We don't want Hill Head to become like that.

"There's also the thought that it's not the most appropriate because it's an intensification of an area that is quite quiet and residential."

The hearing was curtailed by a false fire alarm.

Proceeding