THIS is the latest plan to transform a site occupied by a historic Hampshire hotel with links to Sherlock Holmes.

Hoburne Development has released an artist's impression of the proposed development, which will replace the landmark Lyndhurst Park Hotel if the scheme is approved by the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA).

A four-hour public consultation will be held at Lyndhurst Community Centre next Tuesday.

Hoburne is refusing to release any details ahead of the event but pre-application documents submitted to the NPA are said to list proposals for 66 flats, 11 terraced houses, eight holiday lets and five shops.

Daily Echo:

The building on the edge of Lyndhurst has become an eyesore since the hotel closed in 2014.

As reported in the Daily Echo, a three-storey section of the complex collapsed last month, leaving a huge hole in the back of the building.

The site was at the centre of a long-running battle between planners and its former owners.

An application by PegasusLife to replace the building with 74 sheltered apartments and a dozen holiday homes was rejected by the NPA.

A subsequent proposal for 75 flats and 15 affordable homes was also turned down after sparking 800 objections.

Three months ago it was revealed that the site had been bought by Hoburne Development.

In a statement issued at the time the company said: “We understand the importance of the Lyndhurst Park Hotel. It’s a landmark site with historical value and, like the local community of Lyndhurst, we are sad to see it has fallen into disrepair."

Daily Echo:

Formerly a country mansion called Glasshayes House, the building was converted into a hotel in 1895.

Part of the complex was redesigned in 1912 with the help of author Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, who lived at nearby Brook.

Initial details of Hoburne's scheme emerged last month.

Speaking at the time campaigner Brice Stratford said: "I would like to see a development which retains and restores the historic portion of the building to its Conan Doyle heyday, with further development that respects and reflects the heritage of the village."

Mr Stratford called for the site to be used for more than one purpose.

"I'd like to see a mix of tourism, residential, and retail which respects the existing trees and landscape, and which has a healthy provision of affordable homes and no age restrictions," he said.