NEIGHBOURS and campaigners have objected to plans to expand a Romsey hotel and pub.

Owners of The Cromwell Arms want to double the number of rooms for overnight guests from 10 to 20.

It would mean demolishing a lean-to storeroom to add the extra accommodation but would reduce the building’s overall footprint, helping to reduce flood risk.

The pub and hotel, in Mainstone, is owned by national brewery Fullers, which bought it in 2015. It has had a complete overhaul since including a full refurbishment of the pub and restaurant earlier this year.

The proposed extension would give the Cromwell Arms the ability to cater for larger events and improve the customer experience, the owners say.

Currently the gastro pub has a large marquee to accommodate big events.

Test Valley Borough Council has received objections to the proposed building works including one from the Romsey and District Society, whose aim is to promote high standards of planning and architecture in the area. It is opposing the scheme on the grounds that the site lies outside the built-up area of central Romsey. It also claims the proposed development is contrary to the council’s Local Plan, a blueprint for development.

Neighbouring resident Ian Doutch has also formally objected to the proposed development.

He has said: “This is due to height of the extension reducing the amount of daytime light in our garden. Windows facing our property will violate our personal privacy and have a detrimental affect of the value of my property because we will have gone from not being overlooked at all to potentially being overlooked from both ends of the site.”

It is not yet known when Test Valley Borough Council will make a decision on the planning application.

A spokesman for Fuller, Smith and Turner said: “Since acquiring The Cromwell Arms in January 2015, we have comprehensively refurbished the pub. We hope our planning application will be accepted and that we can allay any fears our neighbours may have.”