Number of guest room cuts

Officers had recommended refusing the application to convert the under-used top floor bed-and-breakfast rooms at Park Lodge in Park Road for the accommodation of the owners.

The decision to approve the plan cuts guest rooms at the establishment from 10 to six.

Officers had recommended refusing the application in a bid to preserve tourist accommodation in the town.

But members, led by Cllr Joy Hughes who proposed granting permission, argued that there was no point if the space was little-used.

Cllr Hughes said en-suite facilities on the top floor were inadequate for tourist use and it would be better administratively for the owners to be able to live on the premises. Cllr Hughes' views were endorsed by Cllr Patrick Douart.

Cllr Paul Lendon said he was concerned because only a few months ago the committee had dealt with a similar application to converted redundant remaining hotel rooms at The Sackville into flats.

"We want to regenerate Bexhill but quite clearly there is a problem. I am very keen to promote tourism in our town."

But he sympathised with the owners' situation. "I don't want to see accommodation disappearing. But on the other hand this is a difficult time and we have to try to help people."

Before putting the issue to the vote, committee chairman Cllr Brian Kentfield reminded colleagues the authority had a strong policy to try to retain as much tourist accommodation as possible in the town centre.

Cllr Douart countered: "I appreciate we must keep as much accommodation as possible - as long as it is used. There comes a time when there is no demand for people to stay in Bexhill. Why keep accommodation that is not being used...?"

Members had deferred the application last month for a site inspection.

Details submitted for the past two years showed the establishment, rated Four Star by Visit Britain, only once reached 77% of bed occupancy.

Members were advised there has been a loss of tourist beds in Bexhill recently and that the Hotels Future Study, prepared by Hotel Solutions in October 2007, said there was a need to retain smaller serviced accommodation near the seafront. Tourism South East opposed the conversion for the same reasons.

Officers had told members in a report: "Visitors to Bexhill bring important benefits to the local economy. The loss of existing tourist accommodation to other uses should therefore generally be resisted unless it is of unacceptably poor quality or where a genuine lack of demand for the accommodation is demonstrated."