Officers oppose plans to develop 'heritage' hotel

Powis Hotels wants to knock down the Hotel Virginia in Falkland Road and construct apartments in its place

Plans to knock down a derelict Torquay hotel and replace it with a block of flats have been recommended for refusal.

Powis Hotels wants to knock down the Hotel Virginia in Falkland Road and construct a block of 14 apartments in its place.

Torbay Council planning officers said the proposal would harm conservation areas and overshadow neighbouring properties.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, it is logged as a "key building" in a conservation area.

The report from the planning officers said: “The move away from a tourism use on the plot is not of great concern. The building should however be retained when considering heritage context.”

Historic England says the harm caused to the conservation area would be "substantial" and the Victorian Society said the proposed replacement building is of "undistinguished design".

The application is due to be discussed at the planning committee meeting on 4 March.