AN historic pub used as a backdrop in the film Four Weddings and a Funeral looks set to become a 20-bedroom hotel despite concerns from conservationists who say the scheme will cause traffic chaos.

Amersham town councillors unanimously backed a plan to change the 14th century listed building to a hotel, after 30 years as a public house, at a meeting last Monday.

They agreed the extension to the Kings Arms public house in the High Street, Old Amersham, would help with the shortage of accommodation in the town.

But the Amersham Society is planning to fight the application as they believe when new houses are built behind Amersham Hospital in Whielden Street, the combination of the two developments will generate too much traffic.

The society has sent a letter to Chiltern District Council to express its concerns and they hope the council will refuse the application.

In response, John Jennison, the proprietor of the pub, said: "We managed to satisfy the Highways Authority and English Heritage and we are not going to generate an extra amount of traffic.

"There will be 20 cars that will come in and they will leave the next morning."

He added that the extension will not affect the appearance of the building.

He said: "It is tucked away. There is a lot of land behind."

Amersham town councillor Martin King said he was pleased the plan was recommended for approval at the planning and footpaths committee meeting, as Amersham desperately needed more accommodation.

He added that most of the buildings along the High Street have already been extended.

The owners of the pub plan to build a two storey rear extension and convert a harness room to a hotel reception, lounge and breakfast area together with a bin store.

They also plan an extension to the car park area.

The Kings Arms used to be an old coaching inn from around 1730 and was changed into a hotel in 1936.

The front of the pub was shown in the 1994 film Four Weddings and a Funeral, as the Jolly Boatman Hotel.

The characters Charles and Carrie in the film, played by Hugh Grant and co-star Andie McDowell, were portrayed as having stayed in the hotel for one of the weddings.

The drink in the bar and the subsequent bedroom scene between the characters was filmed in The Crown public house next door.

Mr Jennison believes it was turned into a pub as there were only six hotel rooms and they had to be used to house staff.

The planning application was due to be heard by Chiltern District Council last night.