A CALL to allow a Pembrokeshire seaside hotel to become short-term holiday let accommodation to ensure its long-term viability in a changing tourism sector has been submitted to the national park.
In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Abergavenny-based Kyle Williams, seeks permission for a change of use of The Hildebrand Hotel, 29 Victoria Street, just off Tenby’s Esplanade seafront, from a traditional hotel to a short-term holiday letting operation.
A supporting statement accompanying the application says the scheme seeks to “secure the continued viable use of the property through its operation as professionally managed holiday accommodation, providing high-quality visitor accommodation within the established tourism destination of Tenby”.
It adds: “The Hildebrand Hotel is an established visitor accommodation property located within Tenby, Pembrokeshire, one of Wales’ premier coastal tourism destinations. The property has historically operated as hotel accommodation and occupies a sustainable location within walking distance of local services, beaches, restaurants, public transport facilities and tourism attractions.
“The building is well suited to visitor accommodation use and benefits from existing infrastructure, guest facilities and accommodation layouts that support continued tourism-related occupation.”
It says no significant external alterations are proposed, adding the “character, appearance and scale of the building will remain unchanged”.
“The accommodation will be let on a short-term basis to visitors and tourists, supporting the local visitor economy whilst ensuring the building remains occupied, maintained and economically viable.”
It adds: “The proposed use will ensure the continued occupation and maintenance of the building. The hospitality sector has experienced significant operational challenges in recent years, including staffing pressures, increasing energy costs and changing visitor preferences. The proposed use offers a flexible operational model capable of maintaining the long-term viability of the property.”
It concludes: “The proposal will retain the building within the tourism sector, support the local economy, preserve the ongoing use of an established visitor accommodation property and ensure the long-term viability of the site.
“No significant external alterations are proposed, and the development is not expected to result in unacceptable impacts upon neighbouring amenity, highway safety or the character of the area.”
The application will be considered by Park planners at a later date.
