A NEW hotel complex – described as being more in keeping on the coast of Menorca or Tenerife – is to be built at a South Hams beauty spot.

Planning permission has been granted for the redevelopment of the Sun Bay Hotel at Hope Cove.

The scheme will see a new 18-bedroom hotel with 40 underground parking spaces, six holiday apartments, plus a restaurant, bar, lounge and terrace at the hillside setting, close to the South West coast path.

South Hams development management committee was told on Wednesday last week that at least 90 per cent of the local population was against the proposal and more than 125 letters of objection had been sent to the council, including one from the National Trust.

Concerns ranged from the size and scale of the building – more than twice that of the current hotel – and its impact on neighbours, traffic and structural worries and sewage.

But after a lengthy debate, members approved the plan by 11 votes to nine, believing it would generate tourism and provide more than 30 local jobs.

The decision followed a full committee site inspection so councillors could to see what impact the proposal would have on neighbouring properties.

Planning officer Malcolm Elliott said the application to redevelop the present 14-bedroom hotel and owner's accommodation followed lengthy discussions going back to 2009.

And although the proposed new hotel would be 'significantly larger' in appearance than the present building, officers supported the scheme.

He said planning issues were finely balanced because of the sensitivity of the site and scale and design of the proposed building but the scheme would deliver a 'prestigious hotel' to Hope Cove.

'Clearly this building will make a very clear visual statement,' he said. 'But something less contemporary can still have an impact.'

Agent for the applicant Dawn Presland said the present scheme had evolved over a long period with reduced scale and massing to accommodate local concerns.

The proposal will see the building stepped back into the naturally sloping site as it gets higher with no windows on the side wall overlooking a nearby property.

Built to sustainable code level four, she said it would have low environmental impact with solar panels and a green-planted roof

She said architects had created a 'clean, crisp 21st century' building that would sit well on such an important site.

But change was pivotal to the hotel's long-term viability, she maintained.

It would provide a significant boost to tourism and the continued prosperity of the South Hams, as well as being an all-year-round facility, bringing vitality to the area and create 30 jobs for local people, she said.

Objector David Clark said residents main concern was the size of the proposal.

'It stretches from boundary to boundary and will dominate all surrounding properties and the harbour and be totally out of character,' he said.

Mr Clark said neighbours were concerned at possible damage to their properties by the depth of the proposed excavations – up to ten metres.

And he said there were added worries of noise from the proposed function room, increased traffic and parking problems.

He said it was feared that the value of nearby properties will be 'severely affected' and the proposed development would effect the charm of Hope Cove and destroy its unique character.

If approved, 'it will kill the goose that lays the golden egg for our area', he warned.

Despite local traffic worries, Devon County Council raised no highways concerns and South West Water did not object to the proposal on drainage grounds.

Cllr John Squire urged members to listen to the views of local people and Cllr Julian Brazil said he couldn't support the uninspiring design – though he didn't have a problem with late night revelry at the tourist hot spot.

Cllr Mike Hannaford agreed, saying the proposed development would totally dominate the settlement in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

'I think it would more at home on the coast of Menorca or Tenerife and is totally out of character with the area,' he said.

But Cllr Basil Cane said it was a 'fantastic opportunity' to move forward.

The present building was outdated and the council should support investment in the holiday industry,' he said.

'The new building will have impact and I think it should have impact,' he said.

'Do people want to see it closed down and put into flats, because that is what could happen?

'If we do not invest, we will lose out and have no holiday area left.'

Cllr Jonathan Hawkins said they were lucky to have a company that wanted to invest in high-class tourism and provide jobs in the South Hams.

And Cllr Rosemary Rowe said all villages were having to accept change.

A full ground investigation will be carried out before work begins and a travel plan for staff will be set up and a mini bus pick-up service provided for patrons attending functions at the hotel.