A ‘LAST-DITCH’ plan to reinvigorate the struggling 43-bedroom Georgian Hotel is supported by the town council – but with continuing concerns.

In April, Waverley planners overturned their officers’ recommendation and rejected an ‘enabling’ residential development that would fund a £2m revamp of the Grade II listed building, which was rescued from administration in 2017.

Owners Lannister House – a consortium of local supporters – claim the only way to make a success of the business is to shed the 31-bedroom annexe in the grounds and transform the historic High Street building into an upmarket 12-bedroom boutique hotel.

As a test to see if they are right, and there is no longer an appetite for a multi-bedded hotel in the town centre, the owners have put The Georgian on the market through Savills with a guide price of £3.75m.

Haslemere Town Council objected to the last plan, but its newly elected planning committee members were more suppportive when asked how to respond to Waverley concerning the latest scaled-down application.

It was clear, however, that town council objections to the enabling development that successfully scuppered the previous plan, still remained a cause for concern and continue to divide opinions.

Hotel chief executive Richard Angel urged Haslemere town councillors at last week’s planning meeting to back revised plans to ‘save’ the High Street business.

The latest application proposes building two houses in the grounds – rather than three – for the ‘enabling’ development to fund a £2 million revamp.

Supporting the application to convert the garden annexe of 31 bedrooms into a block of 16 flats, demolish the linkway and build two homes, the design and access report stated: “The hotel is very tired and needs a significant overhaul.”

Presenting the revised scheme, Mr Angel told the meeting previous objections were “all overcome”.

Mr Angel said: “We want a better High Street and a 43-bedroom hotel is exceptionally large. If we have a boutique hotel it will encourage more people to travel to Haslemere.

“We will enhance the front of the listed building and make it a more efficient space inside.

“Waverley’s heritage officer is very supportive.

“The hotel has been on sale for four months and we are inviting offers by October 25. We will see what happens.

“We may sell if we get the right offer. If we don’t, then it shows no one out there wants to use it as a 43-bedroom hotel.”

Cllr David Round said: “The hotel serves us very well. The diminution of rooms is sad. It’s sad to see it sink to 12 rooms.

“I fear if it reduces to 12 rooms and if it doesn’t work, we might lose the hotel completely and that would be a great setback to the town.

“The car parking in this plan is inadequate and there is no affordable housing. It’s not much different to the previous plan.”

Concerns were also raised that it could reduce the space to hold town functions in, but Mr Angel denied that would be the case.

Responding to objections the scheme had no affordable homes, he said a viability report concluded it would not be possible to raise the £2m needed otherwise.

Cllr Kirsten Ellis said: “The hotel at present is not a destination. It’s not at all exciting and I would love to see it more animated. I welcome a change that would really make the difference.”

Agreeing, Cllr Geoff Whitby said: “There is a danger that we are cutting off our noses to spite our faces. We are trying to keep Haslemere as it is but things are moving on.”

The town council agreed to respond to Waverley in support, but with concerns about the loss of hotel rooms and car park spaces, and the lack of affordable homes.