PLANS to build a much-needed new hotel in Petersfield have been dealt a further blow after town councillors slammed designs for the proposed Buckmore Farm Premier Travel Inn. Developers had re-submitted plans for a new 51-bedroom motel at the Winchester Road roundabout after being told by councillors that their initial plans looked like "Army barracks." But at a meeting of the town council's planning committee on Tuesday, members said there had been little improvement on the designs, which include an adjoining Brewers Fayre restaurant. They said the plans lacked clarity and that there was no evidence to suggest the development would be any more sympathetic to its surroundings. Ken Hick said: "It's Hemel Hempstead. It needs to be empathetic to the surroundings. "This is a gateway to the town and the future South Downs National Park. "I have a feeling they said 'let's make a few alterations and see if we can get away with that'." News of councillors' disapproval to the plans will come as a hammer blow to campaigners who say the town desperately needs more hotel accommodation. Two weeks ago East Hampshire district councillors made a dramatic U-turn behind closed doors and threw out plans for an 85- bedroom hotel at Adhurst St Mary. And the last plan for a 38-bedroom three- storey hotel at the Red Lion in Petersfield was thrown out by EHDC planners. On Tuesday, members repeated their stance that a new hotel was needed in the town, but asked for further consideration to be given to the exterior design. Mary Vincent said: "This is an improvement in spots. But they still have not addressed our need for local materials." And Chris Jenner added: "These people have a good planning team. But they think they can do whatever they want. We have seen it so many times in Petersfield."
