Big hotel on golf course site is given approval in principle

PLANS FOR an 84-room hotel on a Bridlington golf course have been backed by councillors, provided enough is done to prevent harm to the surrounding heritage area.

East Riding Council backed in principle plans for the hotel, at Links Golf Course in Flamborough Road, Sewerby.

But councillors asked for the plans to come back to ensure enough is done to prevent the area’s heritage coast from being damaged, including with landscaping such as tree planting.

Committee chair Coun Leo Hammond said after the meeting that councillors supported the hotel to boost local tourism but they wanted the plans to be right for locals.

It comes as three objections were lodged against the plans over fears it would draw too many tourists to the area and that the hotel would be too big.

Bridlington Civic Society said in its objection the needs of tourism had to be balanced against degrading the reasons for attracting holidaymakers.

The society feared the hotel would continue a worrying trend in caravan parks, leisure sites and other tourist destinations on the Flamborough Heritage Coast.

Plans from Pure Leisure Group, which owns the golf course, stated the hotel was designed to not be overbearing, including by keeping its height at one and a half storeys. The applicants said its height and design would make it less prominent than some of the buildings of the former Danes Dyke farm.

Plans also stated it filled a 60room hotel gap that the council identified in a recent tourism accommodation study.

The hotel is designed to host visitors to the golf course as well as weddings and other functions at its clubhouse.