MAJOR work to alter and extend a Sidmouth hotel that includes the creation of 26 new rooms and eight apartments has won the backing of town planners.

MAJOR work to alter and extend a Sidmouth hotel that includes the creation of 26 new rooms and eight apartments has won the backing of town planners.

Owners of the Westcliff in Manor Road hope extensive plans for a residential development, high quality rooms, increased dining capacity and improved car parking will “re-establish” the hotel, restore its historical character, and secure its economic future.

Sidmouth Town Councillors last week voiced their support for the bid but laid down conditions they would like to see put in place to protect nearby residents.

Proposed work would see extensions to, and replacement of, existing hotel accommodation with 15 “substandard” rooms demolished and 26 “quality” rooms built connected to the back of the existing hotel.

Plans reveal the intent to add a new wing to the hotel consisting of eight high-quality duplex residential apartments with sea-facing views and individual gardens.

Blueprints also detail a ‘reorganisation’ to double the capacity of the site’s car park to 40 vehicles and extend the hotel’s ground floor to accommodate restaurant and bar facilities and a function area.

Town council planning committee members said they were pleased the hotel would be “retained and rejuvenated”, but want issues addressed to protect Redlands residents.

Councillors said coaches should not access the rear car park, which must be constructed as low as possible, and the surface of which should not create excessive noise.

They also wanted to see suitable screening, but anything which would affect views from Redlands, and any lighting should not create a disturbance to nearby residents.

Concern was expressed over insufficient parking for the duplex development.

Councillors also labelled a footpath to Peak Hill Road as “poor” and suggested thought could be given to creating a “safer” pathway in the area.

Hotel owner Nicolas James Group wants to renew planning permission for the work.

East Devon District Council (EDDC) will consider the town council’s opinion when it decides the fate of the blueprints.