Hotels face refusal over plans for conversion

The owners of Bay View Hotel and Langdon Hotel, both in Bridlington, are seeking permission for change of use. However, in both cases planners are recommending refusal.

Bay View, close to he recently-revamped Spa on the seafront, wants to turn its 28 bedrooms into 10 residential apartments.

Despite its position, according to a report, the hotel is losing money. It had an operating loss of around 119,000 in the last financial year and is not picking up new trade from the Spa.

However, Bridlington Hotel and Guest House Association is objecting, saying the move could set a trend for turning hotels into apartment blocks.

Its president, Glen Holmes, said: "In one breath they are saying we need more accommodation and in the next they are allowing hotels to close.

"I feel it's a great loss to the town and I can't understand why they would want to do it."

Planners say there is interest from prospective buyers and allowing the conversion would "undermine" the huge investment in doing up the Spa.

The owners of Langdon Hotel, on Pembroke Terrace, who want to turn the building into 14 flats, say it has been running at a loss since March 2006.

But planners cite sales particulars advertising it as being highly profitable, with an estimated turnover of more than 100,000.

The applicant says the discrepancy is down to contracts with holiday coach companies which didn't materialise.

The hotel was for sale for most of 2008 for 975,000 – a figure planners say may have been "too high".

Planners say change of use hasn't been justified, adding: "Loss of the hotel as holiday accommodation in this prime seafront location would harm the holiday character of Pembroke Terrace."

No one from the hotels was available to comment.