A Bournemouth hotel will be turned into residential flats after an exception was made by council planners.
Lea Hurst Hotel at 8 Frances Road had been unprofitable in the last few years, Bournemouth Borough Council’s planning board heard this week.
The application was turned down in September last year because it was considered that the proposition would result in undesirable loss of tourism accommodation and therefore the proposals would be contrary to the policy CS28 of the Core Strategy.
Councillor Roger West said: “I usually speak in favor of the policy either of the council or of the government. In this case, I think the personal circumstances of the owner of this building override the planning issues.”
At this time around, the applicant provided documents suggesting the losses, which the business was making.
Miss Penny King, applicant’s agent from Planning Precision Limited, said: “I think that the correct decision was made. A sensible approach was taken.
I’m glad all of the councillors supported it,” she added.
Chairman David Kelsey pointed out that this does not give privilege to hotels in this town to come in for the application. They treat every application individually.
Photo by: Alwyn Ladell.
