Balmer Lawn Hotel in Brockenhurst seeks permission to keep tented dining area The Lodge

A LANDMARK hotel at the gateway to Brockenhurst is seeking permission to keep a tented dining area created during the pandemic.

Chris Wilson, owner of Balmer Lawn Hotel, has applied to the national park authority for a lawful development certificate.

He wants to retain a large tented structure at the front of the hotel, which accommodates a 100-cover alfresco eatery called The Lodge.

It was erected in 2021 during the pandemic under temporary permitted development rights to enable hotels to provide outdoor dining in line with social distancing restrictions.

The hotel’s application said: “The tented structure is of very high quality and has proven to be extremely popular and helped save the hotel during the pandemic.

"Its retention will provide outside entertaining space useful if future restrictions are applied.”

However, Brockenhurst Parish Council has opposed the permanent retention of the structure, saying it does not enhance the heritage of the hotel and should be subject to a full planning application.

“The hotel is a significant building occupying a very prominent position on a major entrance to the village and overlooks an iconic New Forest cricket pitch on the Site of Special Scientific Interest lawn,” said the authority.

The hotel's website reveals The Lodge is equipped during winter with outdoor heaters, blankets and cosy seating, with a tented roof and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Meanwhile, South Lawn Hotel at Milford has recently secured planning permission to replace a pandemic dining marquee with a permanent single-storey extension to create extra restaurant space.

The scheme was approved by New Forest District Council in January after planning officers concluded it would have significant economic benefits.

A report said it would also deliver minor environmental and social benefits, and would preserve the character and appearance of the area.