20 residential apartments at Grand Central Hotel, Weston-super-Mare

What was proposed

The application sought 20 apartments in the first and second floors of a vacant hotel, with external alterations and courtyard building removals.

“SECTION 1 – ITEM 6 Application No: 25/P/1633/FUL Proposal: Full planning application for the conversion of the first and second floors of the vacant hotel into 20 no. residential apartments (Use Class C3). External alterations, including alterations to windows, to Regent Street elevation and rear elevation. A number of minor buildings within the central courtyard to the rear are proposed to be removed.”

“Summary of recommendation It is recommended that the application be APPROVED subject to conditions. The full recommendation is set out at the end of this report. Application site and proposal The planning application can be viewed at the following link: 25/P/1633/FUL The Grand Central Hotel is a substantial vacant building fronting Beach Road and Regent Street, with its rear buildings adjoining York Street.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the benefits of town-centre homes and bringing the vacant building back into use outweighed the identified harms.

“The proposal would result in investment into the area, and it would bring a vacant building back into use, delivering twenty town centre homes in a sustainable location at a time when the LPA can only demonstrate a 2.79 year housing land supply. This attracts significant positive weight.”

Officer report

Consultation and public comments

The town council supported the application, while police objected in its current form and one neighbour supported it alongside one objection.

“Copies of representations received can be viewed on the council’s website. This report contains summaries only. Weston-super-Mare Town Council: Support Avon & Somerset Police: Not acceptable in current format Environment Agency: EA National Flood Risk Standing Advice Applies Historic England: Defers to LPA conservation officer Highways: No objection subject to conditions Lead Local Flood Authority: No objection subject to conditions Neighbours/Public comments: 1no.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent addressed the committee in support of the application, and an officer presented the report and corrected wording in the planning balance.

The committee decision

The committee approved the application for the reasons stated in the report, subject to conditions and any additional or amended conditions agreed through consultation.

“Resolved: That the application be APPROVED (for the reasons stated in the report) subject to the following conditions and any other additional or amended conditions as may be required in consultation with the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson and local ward member:”

Minutes

Conditions attached

The conditions cover commencement, approved plans, security, construction, cycle parking, materials, windows, flood evacuation and noise mitigation.

“(a) the parking of vehicles of site operatives and visitors (b) loading and unloading of plant and materials (c) storage of plant and materials used in constructing the development (d) the erection and maintenance of security hoarding including decorative displays and facilities for public viewing, where appropriate (e) wheel washing facilities (f) measures to control the emission of dust and dirt during construction (g) measures to control noise from works on the site (h) a…”

“Prior to the first occupation of the development hereby approved a Flood Warning Evacuation Plan shall be submitted to and approved, in writing, by the local planning authority. This plan shall address the matters required pursuant to the National Planning Policy Framework and Planning Practice Guidance. Thereafter the Flood Warning Evacuation Plan shall be fully implemented.”

Minutes