Concerns over state of 100-year-old Lyndhurst Park Hotel

Most of the Lyndhurst Park Hotel has been demolished to make way for a multi-million-pound scheme comprising almost 80 houses and apartments.

The hotel's historic facade has been retained and is due to contain some of the new homes.

But officers at the National Park Authority (NPA) are worried about the condition of the building, which was redesigned in 1912 with the help of Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes.

Concerns have been raised about what remains of the Lyndhurst Park Hotel (Image: Newsquest)

An application to replace the hotel with 79 homes and three shops was approved by the NPA after members heard the facade would remain.

Planning officials recently visited the site to investigate claims relating to an alleged breach of planning control.

READ MORE: New image shows how historic hotel site in New Forest village will be transformed

The claims were made by a Lyndhurst resident who has now received a reply from the NPA's enforcement manager, Lucie Cooper.

Her letter says: "The Authority does have concerns over the condition of the building, but they do not constitute a breach. However, our colleagues in Development Control are addressing the matter with the developer.

"The National Park Authority values the participation of the public in the planning enforcement process.

"Although no action has been appropriate in this case, I would like to thank you for drawing this matter to my attention."

Most of the Lyndhurst Park Hotel has beemn demolished to make way for 79 homes and three shops (Image: Newsquest.)

An NPA spokesperson told the Daily Echo: "The letter refers to the part of the former Lyndhurst Park Hotel that is due to be retained.

"We found no evidence to suggest any part of the existing building has been demolished and there has been no breach of planning control. Our concerns were over the condition of the building."

The NPA says it is monitoring the situation and holding discussions with the applicant, Hoburne Developments.

READ MORE: Topping-out ceremony held as Lyndhurst Park Hotel replaced by almost 80 homes

The 59-bed hotel, which was not a listed building, closed in 2014 with the loss of about 20 jobs.

The Lyndhurst Park Hotel closed in 2014 with the loss of about 20 jobs (Image: Newsquest.)

Plans to redevelop the site sparked more than 60 letters of objection.

Protesters said part of the area designed by Conan Doyle - a frequent visitor to the Forest - would be lost. They also claimed the development would be too tall as well as being out of character.

Hoburne Developments declined to comment on the NPA's concerns.