Historic pub's bid to secure its future given the go-ahead

A country pub has been given permission to generate extra income by turning part of its "substantially underused" restaurant into extra guest rooms.

The New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) said the scheme would help secure the future of the Walhampton Arms, which occupies a Grade II-listed building near Lymington.

The application cited a "general decline in rural pub trade", adding that the proposed conversion represented a more sustainable use of existing floor space.

READ MORE: Walhampton Arms submits application to turn part of its underused dining area into guest bedrooms

It added: "Whilst the main restaurant use is to be retained, it is currently substantially underused.

"The reduction in dining area will be better aligned with current trading patterns whilst still providing more than adequate dining facilities for local patrons and guests staying at the Walhampton.

"Provision of the additional four guestrooms will strengthen the business revenue stream, securing its long-term viability."

The Walhampton Arms, near Lymington, has been given planning permission to provide extra guest rooms (Image: Newsquest)

The application, by Heartstone Inns, said the proposed development would restore part of the original courtyard.

It added: "The proposals will increase the number of guestrooms, ensuring the longer-term viability of an established business and safeguarding the future of this historic asset."

The Walhampton Arms, formerly Towles Country Restaurant, occupies a former farm at Main Road, Walhampton.

The provision of extra tourist accommodation in the New Forest is normally restricted to areas classed as "defined villages".

But an NPA report said extensions to non-residential buildings were allowed in cases where they would not increase the level of activity on the site and were within the existing site boundary.

The report added: "This includes extensions to existing serviced accommodation.

"In this case, the site already provides 11 serviced rooms and the proposal is for four guest rooms, with no self-catering facilities, and would be contained entirely within the fabric of the existing building."

The proposed development has been approved by the New Forest National Park Authority (Image: Newsquest)

The report said any increase in activity generated by the extra rooms would be offset by the reduction in the size of the dining area.

"The proposal would also restore some of the spacious character of the courtyard, creating an attractive and more usable area that would enhance the outlook from the letting rooms and the restaurant.

"The works would, overall, have a beneficial impact on the character and appearance of the listed building and would preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area.

"Furthermore, the proposed use will serve to ensure the longer-term viability of the business."