A SCHEME to create a £45million hotel and training school in Bournemouth has been refused planning permission, against officers’ advice.
Hundreds of new jobs would be created if the four-star, 229-room hotel is created overlooking the Priory Road roundabout near the BIC.
However the planning board yesterday voted against the eight-storey-high scheme because they felt it was out of character with the area.
Planning board chairman David Kelsey said: “Not enough thought had gone into the building, particularly the effect on the Exeter Hotel.
“We are in favour of this development – but not in this guise.”
The council itself is behind the scheme, through developers Chesham Estates.
Bournemouth University and Bournemouth and Poole College would provide vocational training in a small part of the site for 25 years, and the hotel itself would be a Holiday Inn.
The project was conceived in 1999 and the former cabinet member for major projects Ian Lancashire said earlier this year it would be of “huge economic benefit to the town”.
“Ultimately it will safeguard excellence in our hospitality industry,” he said.
Cllr Phil Stanley Watts voted against the refusal motion and said: “I very much support the employment opportunities the hotel will bring, especially for young people.”
The planning report recommended approval but noted the building’s current design would make it a “dominant” town centre presence.
Harry Brewer, the managing director of the Grade II listed Exeter Hotel, objected and the planners admitted his hotel would be “dwarfed to some extent”.
Head of tourism Mark Smith also objected to the design, saying: “The box like structure is uninspiring for such a key location.”
The site is partly a council car park, and partly the location of the former Winterbourne Hotel.
The scheme includes 250 car parking spaces, retail and reception areas, a function room and a leisure suite with a pool.
No one from Chesham Estates was yesterday available for comment and Bournemouth University declined to comment.
Andy Woodland, chairman of Bournemouth Area Hospitality Association (BAHA), said: “We are very much behind the plan – it would be great for Bournemouth – but we felt the plans were not as conducive to the local area as they could be.”
Source: Daily Echo
