Isle of Wight hotel to HMO conversion plan blocked

The Lorron Hotel, Sandown Road in Lake <i>(Image: Google Maps)</i>
The Lorron Hotel, Sandown Road in Lake (Image: Google Maps)
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A scheme to turn an Isle of Wight hotel into a 13-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) has been refused.

County Hall has ruled Lorraine Barratt’s proposal for alterations and a conversion of The Lorron Hotel at 90 Sandown Road, Lake, would lead to the ‘unjustified loss’ of existing visitor accommodation to the detriment of the Island’s tourism economy.

A decision report also said the plans would ‘fail’ to provide for safe living conditions.

Ms Barratt’s agent, Trade Plans, previously said the HMO will be operated, maintained and supervised to ensure a ‘high standard’ of accommodation.



Planners said: “The application has failed to demonstrate the existing use is no longer viable and the hotel has been marketed for sale for at least 12 months at a reasonable price.”

Other reasons for refusal included that the proposal is ‘deficient’ in terms of accurate plans of the existing building appearance and its window openings, so the council cannot properly assess implications for neighbouring properties, and likely ‘significant adverse effects’ on the Solent Protection Area (SPA) for birds and habitats.

Objections from two Lake residents raised concerns such as the scheme’s impact on the area’s character and the local concentration of HMOs.

Trade Plans’ submitted Management Plan said the proposed accommodation is well-managed, appropriately designed, and will not result in ‘unacceptable impacts’ on neighbouring amenity.

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