Extension to Weymouth hotel refused
The Alexandra, on the Esplanade, is Grade II listed
An extension to a Weymouth seafront hotel has been refused by Dorset Council planners - even though no-one objected to it.
The Grade II listed Alexandra, on the Esplanade, asked to demolish a ground floor veranda, a single storey extension and a laundry room, and replace it with a new four storey extension.
That would have provided extra accommodation and, we're told, improve the look of the rear of the building, and increase the width of the car park access.
The agent behind the planning application said the changes would have 'improved disabled access by replacing an existing rear window with double French doors with no, or little, overall effect on the conservation areas because the changes would not be seen by the public'.
Weymouth Town Council offered no objection.
But a Dorset Council conservation officer had raised concerns about the 'inappropriate design' and what was described as ‘wholesale changes’ to the rear of the building, with the removal of what was listed as ‘historical elements’.
In a summary report, a planning case officer commented on the loss of the ‘visually characterful’ single storey extensions and the loss of historic windows to the rear, had the extension been allowed.
The report described the proposed new building as having a ‘bulky imposing scale’ which would not preserve or enhance the town centre conservation area.