WAVERLEY planners have rejected their officer recommendation and given the green light to a £13m masterplan for the phased expansion and upgrade of Lythe Hill into a five-star hotel.

Proposals for the major development of the hotel, which includes a 15th Century Grade II Listed farmhouse converted into a restaurant and bedrooms, were submitted two years ago.

The scheme includes a new wedding and conferencing venue, a luxury spa, a series of eateries including a small fine dining restaurant, a brasserie, lounge bar, spa bar, and an additional 75 hotel rooms. It is anticipated the number of staff will more than double from 42 to 100.

Lythe Hill is situated in the green belt and an area of ancient woodland – Lythe Hill Copse. Planning officers recommended the scheme was rejected because they did not consider the economic benefits would outweigh the harm to ancient woodland, where “exceptional circumstances” should apply.

Both Haslemere Town Council and Haslemere Chamber of Commerce had responded backing the plan. The chamber said it would be a “massive vote of confidence in the area” and enhance Haslemere’s potential as a gateway to the South Downs National Park.

Former town mayor Penny Bradley spoke out on behalf of the town council at Waverley’s joint planning committee on Wednesday last week, urging members to support the plan.

“I’m concerned the commercial wellbeing of Haslemere is not being given the attention it deserves,” she said. “I implore you to make an historic and brave decision and allow this opportunity to lift commerce in our area.”

Speaking against the scheme on behalf of neighbouring estate Barfold Farm, home of high-goal polo Cortium Sports, planning agent Ian Ellis urged members to reject it due to the damaging effect it would have on an established equestrian business.

Mr Ellis objected the proposed ‘wedding barn’ was far too close to Barfold’s stables, saying: “There has been no assessment of the impact on Barfold during wedding events that might include pyrotechnics.

“Thoroughbred horses will injure themselves when they are disturbed or panic. The horses will be adversely affected.”

Campaign to Protect Rural England, Chiddingfold Parish Council and Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty responded objecting to the scheme and several committee members also spoke out against the application.

Stephen Mulliner (Haslemere, Tory) said: “Doubling the hotel is an unecessarily large amount. If it doesn’t work, an even larger amount of unusable buildings will be left in the green belt that could be turned into housing.

“I’m not persuaded you need to go as big as this to achieve the viability you need.”

Disagreeing, Peter Isherwood (Hindhead, Tory) said: “The economic benefits to Haslemere and the whole area are considerable. We want to see the equivalent of five-star Pennyhill Park Hotel in the southern part of Surrey.”

Lythe Hill is part of the China UCF Group, a conglomerate led by businessman Zhang Zhenxin. The financial services group acquired the hotel in 2015, having bought Old Thorns Hotel from Martin Shaw in 2013.

Welcoming the decision, managing director Cathal Lynch said: “We are delighted that Waverley Borough Council has granted full planning consent.

“This is a pivotal moment in the extended history of Lythe Hill. I am sure generations of patrons will have cause to be grateful for the council’s vision and commitment to the future of Lythe Hill, the borough of Waverley, and the wider Surrey and Sussex areas.

“We will now press ahead with creating an iconic hotel that Surrey can be proud of and call its own.

“The success of this planning application owes a great deal to our dedicated management team, Nick Tsiknas of Inside Out architectural consultants, and to the fantastic support of Haslemere Town Council, which turned out in strength to represent Lythe Hill at the planning committee.”