PLANS have been lodged to open a hotel within a former bank building in Lymington.
Seven en-suite hotel rooms have been earmarked for the upper floors of the old HSBC bank premises at 102-103 High Street.
Two planning applications have been submitted to New Forest District Council to facilitate the changes at the listed building.
One requests a change of use for the upper floors to allow for hotel use, while the other requests listed building consent for internal works needed to accommodate the new use.
Currently, the upper floors of the building are vacant, but the ground floor is used by the restaurant Huddle.
According to the plans, ‘limited alterations are proposed’ to create the seven bedrooms, including the introduction and removal of lightweight stud partitions and new shower rooms.
The proposals will not result in the removal of any ‘historic fabric’ and will ‘generally rectify a more traditional layout’.
Externally, there are no proposed changes other than two replacement windows to the top floor rear rooms, replacing windows which were sealed shut by the bank.
In a statement prepared on behalf of applicants Mr and Mrs Adams, architects Temple Ford Design said: “Lymington town centre is notably short in provision of serviced visitor accommodation, and this makes good use of upper floors.
“Overall, the applications should be supported as they secure the future of an important listed building in the centre of the town and the works need to implement the proposed uses would result in an overall improvement to the historic fabric of the building which the previous use did not.”
Temple Ford Design added: “Overall, the condition of the building is such that the proposals will ensure its long term conservation, maintain viability, and enhance the character of the fabric, therefore providing the impetus for the project.”
It was also noted the proposed alterations would be ‘compatible’ with the existing restaurant Huddle.
New Forest District Council is yet to make a decision on both of the planning applications.
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