Blackpool hoteliers hit out at plans for flats

The council’s planning committee is being recommended to approve an application to convert the Northlands Hotel on Hornby Road into six flats even though the property is within a designated holiday area.

A report to councillors says the scheme will be a test case for new policy adopted last November. Planning officers say the application meets the criteria for “exceptional circumstances” and add “the renovation and re-use of the property to provide a quality residential scheme has considerable regeneration benefits.”

They add this “should not undermine the continuing successful operation of adjacent hotels”.

However objections have been submitted from StayBlackpool and a number of hoteliers who fear the flats will attract unruly tenants and anti-social behaviour.

An objection submitted by the Franklin Hotel on Hornby Road says: “This is classed as a holiday area whereas a number of conversions have taken place causing problems with criminal and anti-social behaviour.

“Properties being converted into HMOs (houses in multiple occupation), including DSS properties, in the holiday area is not good for holidaymakers.”

The designated holiday zones are in place to protect holiday accommodation against conversion to residential use unless there are exceptional circumstances.

The Northlands Hotel was stripped of its alcohol licence by the council in 2016 after advertising 24-hour parties and causing disruption to other hoteliers.

The application is due before planners today.