Fortfield developer’s �1.5million Sidmouth offer

EAGERLY anticipated plans to replace Sidmouth’s Fortfield Hotel with 31 apartments feature an offer of �1.5million towards town tourism, affordable housing, schools and public spaces.

EAGERLY anticipated plans to replace Sidmouth’s Fortfield Hotel with 31 apartments feature an offer of �1.5million towards tourism, affordable housing, schools and public spaces.

Never-seen-before proposals for a pair of ‘linked’ buildings- with private accommodation spread across four storeys- have been formally submitted to East Devon District Council (EDDC).

The countdown to a decision by the authority is now under way and expected in within months.

Would be developer ZeroC hope the apartments will be a reality by mid 2013.

Blueprints feature no ‘on-site’ holiday accommodation- despite the plot being in a designated tourism area- or affordable homes.

ZeroC has offered �1.3million for both issues to be compensated for elsewhere in the town.

The firm has also pledged a further �200,000 towards education and public open spaces.

ZeroC managing director Kim Slowe hailed plans as “superb” and said: “Categorically, initial feedback from the public has been extremely favourable.”

He added work would start at the end of the year or in early 2012 and would take around 16 months to complete.

Plans for residential apartments have left Sidmouth District ad Hospitality leaders fearful a precedent could be set and other hotel owners tempted to sell to developers.

Former president Mark Seward said in January: “We’re duty bound to object to anything that doesn’t have appropriate tourism related activity.”

l Keep checking this website for the first artist impressions of new Fortfield plans- which will be revealed later today (Thursday).