Planners have slammed the brakes on a bid by a supercar supremo to make big changes to a showroom and workshop in Sheet.

Plans by Lanzante Ltd to make numerous alterations to their London Road site have been rejected by the South Downs National Park Authority.

The application for Listed Building Consent included a new main building entrance and an expanded three-level vehicle workshop, with one being subterranean.

The extension would cater for specialist repairs on McLarens with the plans including a new storage area with capacity for ten vehicles.

“The new McLaren garage would specialist in official repairs for vehicles within the McLaren ultimate series – there are only 117 car within this limited series in the UK and 11 licensed dealers,” said the applicants.

“The McLaren garage would not be supported by the brand if it were located on a shared site with other users, like on an industrial estate, due to the high-end product and nature of customer expectations.

“Therefore, the site is uniquely qualified to accommodate the additional operations.”

There was more to the application, as the adjacent property at number 19 was earmarked for demolition and replacement, with the resulting development becoming a “campus” for the firm.

Lanzante is well known in the racing and automotive world and is strongly linked to Petersfield, with a landmark building next to the A272 Winchester Road services.

But although planners recognise the firm’s importance and value to Petersfield and Sheet, they felt the negatives from the scheme outweighed the positives.

They felt the workshop extension would harm the listed building, number 21, with Sheet Parish Council also raising concerns about the possible noise, fumes and the introduction of industry in a largely residential area.

The SDNPA said: “The proposed works would cause harm to the listed building by the encroachment of the workshop.”