THE future of a well-known South Hams hotel is to be decided by councillors next week, as they consider whether the economic benefit of its expansion outweigh a 'significantly adv-erse impact' on the landscape.

Members of South Hams Council Devel-opment Management Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 14, to decide whether to grant permission for the expansion of the Cottage Hotel, Hope Cove.

The owners want to redevelop and extend the hotel, which occupies a prominent position overlooking the sea, from the current 32 rooms to 56. As well as the additional rooms, it would boast a new multi-level restaurant, lounge bar, function rooms, and a conference centre, as well as a three-bedroom apartment for the owners.

The application has received support in the local area and from further afield, with more than 100 letters of support written to South Hams Council.

Those writing say the hotel needs to modernise and expand in order to survive and is an integral part of the community, and the tourist industry.

But around 50 people also wrote to the council objecting, including residents of neighbouring properties who will be significantly affected by the plans.

Others say the proposed building will dominate the village, and raise concerns over how the sewerage system would cope.

Planning officers at South Hams Council have recommended that the DMC refuses the application.

For more on this story, see this week's Kingsbridge & Salcombe Gazette