PLANS are in place to demolish an “unviable” Bournemouth hotel and replace it with flats, after years of underinvestment. 

Darryl Howells Planning Consultancy plans to demolish the former West Cliff Inn Hotel, in West Cliff Road, and replace it with a five storey block of flats consisting of 23 one- or two-bedroom flats and six holiday lets with parking. 

Planners say the existing four storey building, currently occupied by the OYO Kingsley Hotel and equipped with a restaurant, requires “substantial” capital investment in order to compete with neighbouring hotels and accommodation. 

A planning statement by Darryl Howells Planning Consultancy said: “Over the years the hotel building on this site has suffered from underinvestment and as a result the current accommodation is now outdated.  

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Bournemouth Echo: OYO Kingsley HotelOYO Kingsley Hotel (Image: Darryl Howells Planning Consultancy)

“It would require substantial capital investment to be able to compete in the current tourism market.  

“This, alongside declining visitor numbers over recent months and years, has led to the existing hotel business becoming financially unviable, with no reasonable prospect of continuing as a viable business. 

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“The existing building will not be financially viable to be retained and converted into residential accommodation, hence the proposal to demolish and replace.” 

Planners add the development, which is close to Bournemouth town centre, will make more efficient use of the brownfield site. 

Bournemouth Echo: Perspective rear of the proposed building in relation to those adjacentPerspective rear of the proposed building in relation to those adjacent (Image: DMW Architects)

“The proposal will also deliver much needed housing, and will increase the choice, mix and supply of residential accommodation within this part of Bournemouth to meet the needs of the community, and the future occupiers will help support and sustain local services and facilities,” planners added. 

“The development will also maintain the tourism function of the area and local community by the provision of six holiday let flats.  

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“As such the development will secure the most efficient and optimum use and layout of this site, which is in a highly sustainable and accessible location.” 

The hotel sits just within the Poole Hill and West Cliff Conservation Area boundary, which originated as a result of the development of Bournemouth as a Victorian holiday resort. 

Planners insist the proposed design will “better reveal the significance of the conservation area as a heritage asset by reflecting the more traditional and historic architectural form”.