Plans submitted for extension at Captains Club Hotel

Plans submitted to BCP Council outline both a rear and upward extension to the four-star hotel.

It would see 29 hotel bedrooms and seven new suites added to the Captains Club, bringing its total number of rooms to 65.

The upward extension would create a third storey, set to house five of the new bedrooms and all seven of the new suites, and expected to boast panoramic views across the River Stour.

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The additional storey would also provide a new plant space for storage of air conditioning and air handling units.

The second extension, which would be on the car park side of the hotel, would house the other 24 proposed bedrooms.

According to the planning application, this would not result in any changes being made to the current car parking arrangements.

Visual of the new extension at the rear of the building (Image: Design and Access Statement / BCP Council)

The plans for the Captains Club have been submitted by FiveM Development, who are working in partnership with the hotel.

They say the extension will enable the hotel to “better accommodate guests” and “adapt to the changing demands of the domestic tourist market”.

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In the planning statement submitted to BCP Council, the applicant also sited the findings of the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Hotel and Visitor Accommodation Research (2021) which predicted a need for up to 178 hotel bedrooms in Christchurch by 2040.

Members of the public were first shown the plans for the Captains Club at a consultation event in August 2022.

Residents were invited to the hotel and given the opportunity to ask questions and provide their feedback.

According to figures in the planning statement, 40 per cent of residents objected to the proposal.

Out of the 60 per cent that supported it, 26 per cent had specific reservations.

The increased height and parking provision were raised as the main concerns regarding the plans.

The applicant said following public and council feedback, they made “several amendments” to the proposal before submitting it.

A decision is yet to be reached on the application.