Sea views on offer as pier hotel agreed

December 2009

HOLIDAYMAKERS coming to one of the east coast’s most popular seaside towns will soon be able to stay at a top attraction now that plans for an hotel on Southwold pier have been given the go-ahead.

Proposals to build a 30-bedroom five storey hotel in place of the existing pavilion have been backed by Waveney District Council’s development control committee.

It is hoped that the new hotel will provide pier owners Stephen and Antonia Bournes with the opportunity to expand the local tourism industry and attract visitors all year round.

Mr Bournes told the committee that the new hotel would create six full time and six part time jobs, in addition to the large number of staff he already employs which tops about 95 in the height of summer in his restaurants and shops at the pier, since transforming its image more upmarket.

He said that some of the small bed and breakfast hotels in the resort have recently closed, with the loss of about 30 beds for visitors.

“We are iconic within the tourism business, and tourism is a major industry in Suffolk,” he said.

Permission to build 10 two-bedroom apartments on the upper floor of Southwold Pier, along with other improvements, was granted in April 2007 but it was decided that the accommodation could only be used on a seasonal basis.

The new hotel, which will take about 14 months to build, will be open all-year round and a multi-purpose room will be built on the pier behind the hotel to replace the old function room.

A number of locals and Southwold Town Council raised concerns over the availability of car parking, but Mr Bournes said he will be encouraging hotel guests to use public transport when possible and will be focusing on week-long stays so as not to worsen the congestion caused by the large number of day visitors to the town in the summer.

Councillor Paul Ashdown said: “Southwold is a unique place and I think this development will enhance that.

“It will make this building up to date and add accommodation which we are losing at this moment in time.”

The committee approved the plans with conditions including that the Environment Agency’s flood risk recommendations will be followed and that a construction management plan and green transport plan will be produced.

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