The Committee considered a report by the Head of Place (circulated previously) regarding the Lee Bay Hotel site design guide.

The Planning Policy Officer highlighted the following:

·         The Lee Bay Hotel had been disused since it ceased trading in 2005. 

·         A planning application for development of the site was refused in 2019.  The Planning Committee as part of the decision for refusal resolved that a design guide be prepared to provide guidance for the type and scale of redevelopment that would be acceptable on this site.

·         A design guide could not be considered as a formal supplementary planning document, however it could be agreed for use as a material planning consideration.

·         In view of the range of landscape and heritage constraints affecting this site, the design guide was prepared in partnership with the AONB Manager and the Council’s Conservation Officer.  It was also shared with Lee and Lincombe Residents Association, Ilfracombe Town Council and the site developer, with amendments made as a result of the comments received.

·         The Design Guide identifies the types of scale of development that were considered suitable for the site.