LONG-TERM residents of The Deerhound Inn could be evicted after it was ordered to cease its unauthorised use as a lodging house and return to its function as a hotel.

The Liberation Group-owned Forest site’s retrospective application for a change of use from a hotel to a restaurant, hotel and lodging accommodation has been turned down by the Environment Department.

Commerce and Employment said the loss of visitor accommodation would prejudice the retention of an adequate stock.

It added that a change of use would not meet the criteria of demonstrating that the building was no longer useful or capable of being used for its authorised function.

Although originally a guest house, the property now consists of a popular and busy pub and restaurant and eight bedrooms – accommodating a maximum of 15 guests.