THE latest plan to provide the town centre with a desperately needed hotel looks set to be thrown out amid concerns from environmental health experts. New hotel facilities have been high on the list of priorities in the town for more than a decade, but recent plans have been hit by a series of setbacks and delays. And plans to convert The Red Lion pub in College Street into a 31-bedroom hotel have already hit a stumbling block. The owners want to convert the pub's outbuildings into shops and housing. But last month it was revealed complaints from any future residents on the site could see the pub shut down. A decision on the matter was put on hold by East Hampshire district councillors in December after members asked for further advice from an environmental health officer. However, a report by EHDC planning officers has since recommended the plans go back to the drawing board, claiming noise pollution could jeopardise the future of the pub. The report said: "It is felt that due to the introduction of new licensing laws there is potential for noise from Folly Wine Bar, White Hart and The Red Lion to create a nuisance for the site. "The proposed redevelopment of the Masonic Hall and surrounding buildings would only be recommended if the accommodation was only to be used by staff and management of The Red Lion itself. "Noise issues from both the pub and traders would make the buildings inappropriate for public use." The report concluded that although an hotel was needed, the plans in their current state should be refused. "The need for a hotel is not in dispute and the design is considered acceptable as is the design of the residential conversion," said the report. "The outstanding issue is impact of the public house on the amenities of the five residential units and knock-on effect on the viability of the public house and the listed building. "The generation of complaints of noise and disturbance from new residents is likely to jeopardise the use of The Red Lion as a public house. "This could result in pressure for less desirable alternative uses which would be detrimental to the character of the listed building." Last month EHDC head of planning development Daryl Phillips warned councillors there would be no way of protecting the pub if the new residents were to complain about noise. He said: "The residential use overrides the commercial use automatically. It just takes one resident to go in there and object and it is the end of the pub. "The health officer is very, very strong on that." Earlier in the south planning committee meeting, ward councillor Bob Ayer had told members he supported the idea of an hotel but could not approve the plans in their present state. He said: "I share concerns about parking and road safety. But I am pleased to read that the hotel part is supported. "I understand the concerns about housing proximity to the Red Lion. I am also concerned about the viability of the shop units - they are away from the town centre and are small. "I am currently minded to support refusal to allow for more consideration." But councillor Peter Rodgers felt anybody who moved into the housing units would know there was a pub there and would have no grounds for objection. He said: "I see no reason why this should not go forward and would be happy for it to be deferred to see what improvements can be made." District councillors were due to make a final decision on the proposals at a meeting of the south planning committee on Thursday (yesterday). l Plans for an hotel on the outskirts of Petersfield were approved last year despite criticism of the design work from Petersfield town councillors. Developers want to build a 50-bedroom Travel Inn on the Winchester Road roundabout to the west of the town which would include an adjoining restaurant and bar. A further scheme to restore a rundown Victorian manor house and turn it into a hotel was also agreed last year. Developers were given permission for their proposal to alter and extend Adhurst St Mary on the London Road outside Petersfield, initially to provide a 46-bedroom hotel and the shell of 12 houses. If successful, the houses would be incorporated into the hotel, making a total of 85 bedrooms.
