DEVELOPERS have launched a second attempt to transform a 23-bed hotel in the centre of a picturesque Hampshire village.

PegasusLife has submitted plans to provide 24 apartments for older residents by converting the old Watersplash Hotel in Brockenhurst - recently named the most beautiful place to live in the UK.

The Winchester-based company is planning to turn the existing complex into flats and build villas in the grounds.

It comes less than a year after civic chiefs rejected plans to provide 27 flats, saying a proposed extension to the hotel would create a huge "industrial-style" development.

A PegasusLife spokesman described the new proposal as "fundamentally different" from the scheme that was thrown out last summer.

He said the proposed extension had been replaced by smaller villas and cottages, reinforcing the status of a building that was of local interest.

"The new villas are well separated from the existing building and set down a slope," he said.

The original proposal was turned down by members of the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) after sparking objections from conservation groups.

Representatives from PegasusLife said the application aimed to retain and enhance the historic hotel complex, resulting in a scheme that would make a positive contribution to the local conservation area.

But the scheme came under fire at a meeting of the NPA's planning and development control committee.

Maureen Holding, district councillor for Brockenhurst, said: “This is a large, overbearing building that looks totally industrial and out of keeping.

“The Watersplash was a lovely hotel. When I look at what’s there now and what’s being proposed I could almost weep. The whole thing totally ignores what people want. It would be an absolute disaster.”

Barry Rickman, leader of the district council, added: "If ever there was a case for saying ‘back to the drawing board’ this is it.”

A report to the committee said the proposed development would fail to preserve or enhance the special qualities of the hotel or those of the Brockenhurst Conservation Area.

The committee's deputy chairman, Leo Randall, added: "It would take an awful lot of work to make this even remotely acceptable.”

As reported in the Daily Echo, Brockenhurst was recently named the most beautiful place to live in the UK.

It was awarded the prestigious title by Leaders estate agents, which described it as a village with "bundles of charm and history".