COUNCILLORS have deferred a planning application to turn a Victorian estate into a boutique hotel, spa and restaurant in Penn over noise concerns.

At a West Buckinghamshire Planning Committee (Thursday, May 16) the application submitted by CEO of Rayners Penn Ltd Duncan Ball for land at Church Road saw concerns raised by members.

The history of Rayners House dates to 1845 when Sir Philip Rose bought Rayners and Colehatch farms.

Since its former glory days as a country estate the building has fallen into disrepair after becoming empty in 2015 following the closure of a school for deaf children after it fell into administration.

The imposing brick building has remained largely unchanged since the late 1860s.

The revival into a boutique hotel kicked off in 2021 when the new owners purchased the house and grounds from Department of Education and named the project Rayners Penn. 

If permission is granted, the hotel will have between 30 to 35 bedrooms, with a fine dining restaurant and a spa.

Some residents have objected to the plans already, including Maria Polycarpou of The Red House, 62 School Road, who said: "In a tranquil village setting such as Penn, this scale of development is completely unacceptable and will have a harmful impact on the amenity residents, generating adverse noise, traffic, and disturbance."

In regards to noise, she said.

The applicant says indoor music will be limited to the basement level function room and a dedicated sound system will be installed which will automatically lower the sound levels of ay amplified music in this room.

The applicants have stated that the size of the function room will limit the party size, itself and that all functions will only take place between 8pm and 12.30am.

The applicants report adds: "The Council’s Environmental Health Officer has reviewed the details provided in the submitted Noise Report and is satisfied that this proposal could be undertaken, without undue disturbance to local residents.

"However, in order to ensure that the proposed use is managed/controlled in a satisfactory way, a Noise Management Plan should be submitted to and approved by the local planning authority before the hotel use commences."

Jennifer Hopkirk of Parsonage Farm, Penn also said "A modern luxury hotel with 33 rooms, 2 restaurants, private events and separate dining, as well as extensive spa facilities with all the hundreds of cars and service vehicles coming and going, will alter the whole village immeasurably.

"I completely agree with the residents who will be adjacent to this project and who are objecting so strongly. Their lives will be very obviously changed." 

The plan is expected to be heard again at the next West Buckinghamshire planning meeting on Wednesday, June 5.