FEARS are mounting that Haslemere could lose its historic town-centre hotel after an 11th-hour request by Waverley planning officers to delay a decision on its future.

Lannister House – a group of local professionals – rescued the Grade II listed Georgian Hotel when it went into administration in 2017 for the second time in thee years.

Determined to secure the future of the landmark High Street hotel that had not made a profit in six years, the group came up with a business plan that would generate £2m to fund a ‘much-needed’ upgrade of the ‘tired’ facility that was no longer attracting enough customers.

Their application for an ‘enabling development’, which was submitted to Waverley Borough Council in March 2018, seeks consent to replace the modern block in the garden with 19 apartments and a row of mews cottages to raise the money required.

The £2m generated would fund a high-quality boutique hotel with 12 individually-designed rooms located in the historic High Street building, plus a new public bar and function space/restaurant to cater for up to 150 guests, with private dining areas and garden improvements.

Lannister House’s application was due to be determined by Waverley’s southern area planning committee on January 30, but officers withdrew it two days before and asked for additional information that could delay determination by up to a year.

Officers have asked the hotel owners to ascertain whether there is a buyer willing to retain the 43 rooms to satisfy Policy LT2 of Waverley’s 2002 local plan, which asserts the desirability of retaining hotel rooms in the urban centres of Waverley.

Group chief executive Richard Angel protested: “Waverley publicly recommended the application for approval – and at the time, both they and their external consultants were satisfied the requirements of Policy LT2 had been met.

“The application was then withdrawn just 48 hours before the committee date.

“Nearly 12 months on from the initial submission, this delay is putting the future of the hotel and all 30 jobs at risk.”

Lannister House has Cirrus, a leading UK operator of independently-run boutique inns and hotels, lined up to manage the upgraded Georgian. Cirrus believes the building would flourish as a 12-bedroom hotel.

Mr Angel fears if the application is not determined soon, Cirrus will “walk away”, effectively scuppering the best chance of saving the hotel.

Rebutting the need for 43-hotel rooms, he said: “The hotel does not operate at full capacity.

“In January 2018, the occupancy rate was just 34 per cent. At weekends, the figures are even worse.

“The hotel mainly caters for mid-week, overnight contractors, who spend little time or money on the High Street. Cirrus, on the other hand, is all about attracting visitors who will spend in the area. It runs the successful Epicurean Club, a marketing initiative dedicated to helping people experience and enjoy the countryside.

“As a conservative estimate, we calculate our plans will provide a boost of half a million pounds to the local economy just through increased use of local suppliers.”

Town supporters have rallied to the hotel’s defence (see letters on Page 21) and are also calling for the application to be determined as a matter of urgency.

Haslemere Society chairman Chris Harrison said: “I understand Waverley are now asking the hotel be marketed for a period of 12 months to ascertain whether there is a buyer willing to retain the 43 rooms to satisfy Policy LT2.

“That the marketing by an administrator with a statutory obligation to act in the best interest of creditors is not considered enough to satisfy a market test is surprising.

“That this issue was raised for the first time after a 12-month engagement with the applicants is disgraceful.

“I fear if Waverley stick to this requirement, the applicant and their proposed operator will withdraw and the existing hotel close with the loss of many jobs.”