STEPS are to be taken to address concerns raised during a Bude-Stratton Town Council (BSTC) planning committee meeting with regard to the full planning application for a proposed Travelodge hotel at Burn View, Bude.
The proposed brownfield, town centre location has been vacant and un-utilised for eight years from 2011. The proposal seeks to create in the region of nine full-time and 12 part-time jobs.
The planning application outlines that the applicant, ERC Development Limited, is seeking approval for full planning permission and conservation area consent for the development of a 70-bed budget hotel, including bar and cafe, with associated car park and access works. This would be developed at the former bus garage and depot site, known locally as ‘the old Hookways bus station’.
The BSTC planning committee, which met on September 26, allowed the agents to speak regarding the application with the agreement of the committee. The committee, after discussion, made a resolution to maintain its previous objection. They said: “This application contravenes Policy 15 and Policy 23 of the Bude NP (neighbourhood plan) and Policy 12 and Policy 24 of the CLP (Cornwall Local Plan). The application does not enhance the area with its scale and mass.
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“The committee were led to understand from the applicants that this is not the final, formal application. The view of the applicants is that this revised plan was for discussion not full planning permission and that they are still awaiting a further discussion with the conservation officer at Cornwall Council.
“The applicant and BSTC would welcome a site meeting with planning officers to discuss the design of the proposed building. BSTC would also ask that a Section 106 negotiation for £100,000 for a cycle path link between Summerleaze Downs and Nanny Moores Bridge be sort and paid before building works begin.”
Since the meeting the proposer has written to the town council stating that they have heard the concerns and agreed to arrange a collaborative meeting to discuss the design of the building.
A spokesperson for Travelodge said: “ERC Developments and Travelodge is currently engaged positively with Cornwall Council officers and Bude and Stratton Town Council to evolve the design of the proposed hotel building in order to hopefully reach an agreed position.
“It has been agreed to arrange a collaborative meeting so that the final building design and materials can incorporate feedback from Cornwall Council and Bude and Stratton Town Council.”
They added: “Discussions are ongoing with Cornwall Council regarding Section 106 matters through the planning process in the normal way.”