Bournemouth hotel could be turned into flats

At least five proposals to redevelop struggling hotels into residential accommodation have now been submitted to BCP Council since May.

The latest seeks permission for a mixture of demolitions and alterations to Gervis Court Hotel to create 19 flats.

The future of the Gervis Road business was considered by the Bournemouth tourism accommodation screening panel last year.

It found that £285,000 would be required to renovate the building into a business providing its owners with a "reasonable" income.

But it said they would still be better off investing the money in a regular high street bank savings account.

“In order to create a business that could return the owners a reasonable wage, the property would need to be comprehensively refurbished,” it said.

“Clearly there is a risk that the costs of the works will overrun and the business will not perform at the level anticipated.

“Even if the forecast targets were met, the return on investment is de minimis.”

As a result, rather than investing in the business, an application has been submitted to carry out partial demolitions of, and construct extensions to, the building to convert it into 19 flats.

Twelve of the apartments would be one-bedroom with the remainder all having two bedrooms.

The plans, put forward by Black Stone Fort (Gervis) Ltd, also include provision of 13 parking spaces.

“The proposal presents a sustainable form of development, contributing to the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of Bournemouth,” it said in a statement submitted with the application.

“The proposed dwellings would provide modern, fit-for-purpose accommodation, meeting an identified need for one- and two-bed apartments.”

Plans to redevelop Gervis Court follow applications for the conversion of fellow Bournemouth hotels Hotel Riviera, Montague Hotel, Chequers Hotel and West Cliff Inn into flats since May.

Council planning officers will consider the latest scheme in the coming weeks.