HEADLEY Park Hotel looks set to expand as developers unveil plans to demolish the existing building and redevelop the site.

Planning Potential, the firm heading the redevelopment, recently asked members of the public what they thought of the project.

The aim is to replace the existing 24-bedroom Headley Park Hotel with a new 70-bedroom guesthouse and, according to the developer, so far the response has been positive.

Lorna Byrne, from Planning Potential, which has an office in London and is overseeing the scheme on behalf of London developer Landhold Developments, told the Bordon Herald that the project was at “an early stage” with December’s exhibition attracting plenty of interest.

“Our initial consultation event was very well attended (by 54 people in total),” she said. “Written feedback has been provided by 19 people so far - 15 of whom have already expressed support for the proposed redevelopment.

“The purpose of the consultation event was to discuss the principle of redeveloping the site and give local people an opportunity to share their ideas and suggestions at an early stage.”

As the existing hotel building “is in a very poor condition internally and externally and sits very close to the roadside”, the plan is to knock it down and start again.

“The proposed scheme would provide approximately 70 bedrooms, as well as some additional cabin-cottage accommodation in the grounds,” she added. “Most of the feedback we received during the consultation event was positive.

“We have received a number of suggestions, with local people keen to see the hotel facilities - restaurant and spa - open for the use of non-residents.

“Four people expressed concerns about possible traffic impact and three people sought reassurance that the proposed uses would not lead to noise pollution (outdoor events).”

Headley Park Hotel, in Picketts Hill, was sold last year to Landhold Developments for an undisclosed sum - although the guide price was listed as £2.5million.

The estate is around 40 acres (16 hectares) and the main hotel building includes a function room, a restaurant, a bar and staff accommodation. The sale of the property also included various outbuildings.

Commercial real estate firm Colliers International outlined the history of the original Headley Park, which was constructed between 1884 and 1891 and has been extended by various owners over subsequent years. In the 1950s the property was acquired, and operated as a community centre, a retirement home and finally a sports and social club, by a trust on behalf of the Lithuanian expatriate community.

According to Colliers International, closed hotels with their “high underlying real-estate value, scope to re-open and redevelopment angles” generate a wide range of interest from “a diverse selection of buyers”.

In 2014, Headley Park Hotel had licensing restrictions imposed by Hampshire police following a series of serious incidents, including assaults, robberies and noise complaints.

At the time, senior staff at the hotel said they were being treated unfairly and warned such restrictions may have a knock-on effect on their business.

Later, when the hotel closed, it was reported that operators had encountered financial difficulties and subsequently decided to sell Headley Park.