Councillors ignore Planning Officers advice and approve Grand Central Hotel Development

Developers aiming to revive the long-empty Grand Central Hotel in Weston-super-Mare have said their plans depend on being allowed to convert rear extensions at the property into a large shared house, known as a house in multiple occupation (HMO).

The proposal involves turning the main hotel building into 28 flats, but the developers argued the overall project would not be financially viable without the additional HMO element.

Planning officers at North Somerset Council had recommended refusing permission for the HMO, raising concerns about its location on the narrow York Street alleyway.

Architects plans for the HMO element of the site at the rear of the building (Image: North Somerset Council)

They warned it would create “an unpleasant and oppressive place to live which would unacceptably harm the living conditions of its occupants.” Despite this, councillors on the planning committee voted to approve the scheme.

At a meeting on April 15, planning committee chair Robert Payne (Weston-super-Mare Central, Liberal Democrat) acknowledged the concerns but supported the broader regeneration benefits

The Grand Central Hotel, located prominently opposite the Grand Pier, has been closed for decades, with its upper floors left unused. Plans to convert the main building into flats had already been unanimously approved at a previous committee meeting in March.

The HMO proposal had also been approved at that time, though not unanimously. Because that decision went against planning officers’ advice, council rules required it to return to the committee for confirmation.

During the April meeting, developers Taelon Ltd offered a concession, agreeing to a condition that the hotel redevelopment into flats must be completed before the HMO could be occupied.

In the end, councillors voted narrowly, by six votes to five, to grant planning permission.