A GRADE II listed hotel which was previously owned by a famous jockey could be restored to its former glory if planning work is given the go-ahead.

The owners of the Grosvenor Hotel, in High Street, Stockbridge, have applied to Test Valley Borough Council to carry out various works to the building and garden area, including removing a glass link building between the hotel and annexe and erecting a pergola in the garden.

The application states: “This proposal forms part of a package of works which are designed to restore the hotel both in heritage and commercial sense.”

It added: “The building reads as a landmark building in the town and is one of the largest and most distinctive within the high street, due in part to its porte cochere, which protrudes forward of the general building line and is particularly prominent as it has a room above it, which in combination, forms an important local landmark.”

Tom Cannon, a famous jockey, owner and trainer of horses lived in the building after buying it in 1898.

It is thought it was built in the early 1800s, and was named after Thomas Grosvenor who had significant property interests in Stockbridge and who was the town’s MP in 1824.

The hotel remains the headquarters of the Houghton Club, which is the world’s oldest fishing club, established in 1822.

The applicant said: “The Grosvenor Hotel has suffered from an absence of investment over the years and therefore, despite retaining much of its historic value and original features, appears neglected in places.

“The need for improvement and renovation has been recognised by the current management regime who are keen to restore the hotel to former glories and improve its commercial standing.”

The timber frame and glass link structure, which would be removed, are described by the applicant as “modern and poorly designed”.

While the garden area is said to have “limited accessibility, is neglected and unattractive”.

A neighbour of the hotel, Alex Lawrence, of The Old Cottage, in High Street, Stockbridge, has submitted a comment to the borough council regarding the proposed plans, highlighting what he believes to be inaccuracies in the application, including that the portico - which the applicants have referred to as a porte cochere- being built circa 1885, he states it was built prior to 1843.

He said: “This is incorrect and I’m unsure where this date has been plucked from. The earlier 1843 Tithe map clearly shows the room protruding onto the High Street, and in addition, the portico is believed to be an original feature of the building.”