Following multiple failed expansion bids, a popular Isle of Wight hotel has been granted approval for three new bedrooms providing “high end” accommodation with garden access.
Luccombe Manor Country House Hotel, on the edge of Shanklin Old Village, wants to create two standard rooms and the first wheelchair accessible room.
Submitted by Steven Wells of Garden Isle Hotels, plans were approved by the Isle of Wight council this week.
Appeal dismissed
Just last month the Planning Inspectorate dismissed an appeal by Garden Isle Hotels over a rejected application to add a ten bedroom extension and three ground floor bedrooms to the three-star hotel.
The development was refused for the the third time by County Hall in January due to its ‘visually dominant’ and ‘intrusive’ appearance.
Explaining its grounds for dismissing the appeal, the inspectorate said the plan would have a “harmful effect on the character and appearance of the host building and of the area”.
Ground floor extension
The rooms approved this week will be on the ground floor of Luccombe Manor’s extension at the southernmost point of the site.
They will be next to a bar and will replace a seating area along with a recreational room and office.
Two windows at the rear of the extension would be replaced with french doors to allow access to the garden.
Creating high end and high value accommodation
A submitted Design, Access and Heritage Statement written by Nova Architectural said,
“The proposal sets out to create high end and high value accommodation for patrons to Luccombe Manor.
“The proposal put forward allows for high quality tourism through the year, with provisions to utilise both Luccombe Hall’s & Luccombe Manor’s services in tandem.”
Minimum impact
Justifying its approval, a council report said Garden Isle Hotels’ plans would “promote tourism-related development” with “minimal impact” on the part of Luccombe Manor in question.
It also found no reason to object on parking provision and highway grounds or those relating to trees, ecology and the Solent Special Protection Area.
The council attached two conditions to its approval: development is started within three years of permission being granted and is completed according to submitted plans.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
