Smart Group Property has submitted plans to convert the former Rufus House Hotel in Lyndhurst into seven residential flats
Lyndhurst: So, there’s this plan by Smart Group Property to turn the old Rufus House Hotel into seven flats. They want to add two two-bedroom and five one-bedroom units. Sounds like a big change, right?
The folks behind the design say the building is pretty important locally. They promise that the changes will keep the building looking good. Plus, they’re not planning to mess with the main street view, which is a relief.
They also mentioned that getting rid of the old metal staircase will make the place look nicer. A design officer checked it out and thinks the changes won’t hurt the area’s charm, which is good news.
But not everyone is on board. Some neighbors are worried about parking. They say the area is already packed with cars, and adding more flats could make it worse. It’s a bit of a tight squeeze on Queens Road as it is.
One resident even called it an “overdevelopment,” saying there’s a real need for family homes instead of just flats. They think the Rufus House could be split into a couple of family units instead.
On the flip side, some neighbors are all for the idea. They point out that the hotel hasn’t been running for a while and needs some care. They believe this plan could finally bring some much-needed attention to the site.
Another supporter thinks the design looks great and will really improve the building’s appearance. The application is still under review, so we’ll have to wait and see what happens next.
