ROMSEY residents have slammed plans to turn a former popular hotel into flats and a kitchen showroom over fears the market town will become overdeveloped.

A planning application was submitted to Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) to create two flats and a maisonette spanning across the first and second floor of the Abbey Hotel, Church Street.

The plans, submitted by property investor Brightbeech Property Limited, would see the ground floor of the property occupied by the kitchen company, Kutchenhaus, while a two-bedroom house would be built at the back of the site.

Now residents have hit out at the plans claiming the town will lose a historic hotel in favour of properties when "many housing estates have just been built".

Critics of the controversial application objected to the lack of car parking spaces planned for the site, claiming it is "flawed" to believe residents will not want to park next their properties.

However, the investor has defended their plans for the Abbey Hotel, stating the refurbishment will help bring the building back to life after "it was allowed to fall into disrepair by its previous owners".

Susan Wood, who lives in New Road, said: "This application is just greed on the behalf of the developers with no consideration as to the best possible use of the hotel or the needs of the town."

"Romsey has more than enough shops already and there are enough properties with many housing estates just being built."

Elizabeth Hollloway, who lives in Cherville Street, said: "I think this is overdevelopment of this site; a local amenity will be lost and the accommodation proposed will not address the housing need in the town centre.

"As an ex-Romsey retailer, I am anxious about the future of our town following the current crisis.

"We need businesses to survive, attract visitors to our town, be they day trippers or people to stay for a few days as well as provide for our residents."

Fay Fleming, who lives in The Crescent, said: "The argument that, because these flats are in the centre of town, there is no need for car parking spaces, is clearly flawed.

"Nearby developments such as Mottisfont Lodge, Abbey Lodge and Hillier Court have acknowledged this and provided their residents with parking.

"As parking in the town continues to be a hot topic for TVBC, the lack of provision for this in the current plans is a matter of

great concern."

James Bastow, who lives in Cedar Lawn, added: "I note the application says there is no need for car parking as they are not car reliant being in the town centre. Dream on.

"These four homes would have at least three cars and the plan should acknowledge this if it has any chance of approval."

A document submitted to TVBC by the applicant reads: "The site is in a high sustainable location and the residents will be able to access a whole range of local facilities and amenities without reliance on a car.

“As such no car parking provision is made on-site.”

Director of Brightbeech Property Limited, Tim Lincoln, said: "The Abbey pub has unfortunately been allowed to fall into disrepair by its previous owners.

"We are proposing to undertake a substantial refurbishment of the building to bring it up to an appropriate standard for occupation.

"We are pleased to announce that once the works are completed Kutchenhaus will relocate to the property which will provide room for their successful business to expand further.

"The remaining ground floor accommodation will be converted to a small town house with the first floor of the property being converted into three flats for rent."

He added: "The proposed works to the ground floor of the premises will result in this current dead retail frontage being bought back to life.

"Refurbishment works will also be taking place to improve the buildings occupied by the hairdressers and photo shop located next to the Abbey which will give both those tenants a better environment from which to trade."

TVBC are due to decide on the plans on Thursday, June 11.

As previously reported in the Romsey Advertiser, the Abbey Hotel was sold to The Brightbeech Group, after being on the market since July 2019.

Head of licensed leisure at Savills, Kevin Marsh, confirmed on Friday, January 9 the property had been sold and was on the market for £1.6 million.

The pub was also set to reopen in 2015 under the management of Paul and Sarah Bingham who managed The White Horse in the Market Place.