A GOLF and spa hotel is planning to use a former engineering factory in Petersfield as a central warehouse for its expanding chain of leisure destinations.

In March it was announced a private investor had bought the former Tews Engineering workshop and warehouse in Bedford Road.

The Old Thorns Group at Liphook has put in for planning permission to re-clad and re-roof the building and install another roller shutter door.

Old Thorns is a popular luxury golf and spa hotel on the Longmoor Road, but after buying other hotels in the UK and abroad, a central warehouse facility was needed, said the company.

Old Thorns Group businesses development manager Neil Drinkwater said: “Because the group is expanding, a central warehouse facility is required, so there won’t be a real change in the use of the building.”

In the long term, however, there are plans to sub-divide part of the 1,600 square metre building to create small manufacturing units.

Mr Drinkwater added: “We will be looking to rent them out.”

The application can be viewed on the South Downs National Park planning search web page at www.southdowns.gov.uk/ planning using reference SDNP/17/02470/FUL.

Tews has operated from various sites in the town for more than 50 years, including Bedford Road, and at another near the railway station between Charles Street and Lavant Street.

In February, South Downs National Park planners refused Kebbell Developments permission to build on the Lavant Street site.

That proposal was to replace the engineering works and a shop in Lavant Street also owned by Tews with a shop and 32 flats.