AN old-established Minehead hotel is to be turned into flats after it can no longer compete with new competition including the Premier Inn in Seaward Way.

Ian Daniels, of the Waverley Hotel, Tregonwell Road, has been granted permission by West Somerset Council planning committee to turn the 14 bedroom B&B hotel in to eight one-bedroomed flats.

The application was approved last Thursday after Minehead Town Council backed the plan despite the concern of some members about parking facilities.

Recommending approval, planning officer Karen Wray said that a letter of objection had also highlighted possible parking problems, claiming that up to 16 spaces could be needed.

She said that the proposal would involve largely internal alterations apart from a single-storey flat roof extension. Three parking spaces would be provided.

Ms Wray added: “Although it is regrettable to see the loss of this business, there are still many other hotels, guest-houses and B&Bs in the Tregonwell Road area.”

She believed the loss of this one business could be compensated by money the occupants of the new flats would spend in the area.

Speaking for Mr Daniels, Adam Elston, of the Architectural Studio, said: “The loss of the hotel is simply due to the new competition within the town such as the Premier Inn.

“The applicant is no longer able to compete with the large hotel chain and therefore has proposed an alternative use for the building.”