News

Oct 07, 2023

Riverside hotel expansion recommended for approval despite 105 objections

Plans to expand a riverside hotel have been recommended for approval despite

Plans to expand a riverside hotel have been recommended for approval despite more than 100 objections from residents.

The proposal to build an extension to Captain's Club Hotel in Wick Lane, Christchurch, would create an additional 29 bedrooms and seven suites.

Members of BCP Council's planning committee are set to discuss the application at a meeting on Thursday, June 15.

A report by case office Sophie Mawdsley said: "The economic benefits resulting from the hotel expansion are significant with the provision of enhanced tourist accommodation which will make a valuable and positive contribution to the local tourism economy."

Ms Mawdsley's report said the impact on visual amenity, living conditions of neighbours and traffic movements had been "carefully assessed" and it was concluded there was not a clear reason for refusal.

The independent four-star hotel on the bank of the River Stour currently has 29 hotel rooms, including suits, with an events space, restaurant, pool and spa.

As reported, Christchurch Town Council had tabled an objection to the development.

Across the 105 objections from residents issues concerning design and scale, traffic, amenity and flooding were raised.

Meanwhile there were 26 representations backing the plan, with one saying the Captain's Club was a "world-class" hotel which should be supported.

The local authority's urban design and conservation officers considered the proposal was of an appropriate scale and bulk, the report said.

The council's destination and culture team said: "This proposal makes a positive contribution to BCP's tourist accommodation and can only improve the facilities offered to guests making it a world class offer therefore, tourism fully support this proposal."

The flood and coastal erosion risk management team at the local authority said while the proposal was "unlikely" to increase flood risk, it was a "missed opportunity to improve the situation and incorporate enhancements to the resilience of the building".

No changes to the access or parking arrangements are proposed, with the current 47 spaces remaining for guests, visitors and staff.

Cllr Mike Cox (Image: BCP Council)

Christchurch Town ward councillor Mike Cox called in the application for the committee decision.

He said the grounds for doing this were the impact on neighbours from the size of the extension and the determent to their amenity space and "significant worsening of traffic and parking" for residents.