Plans revealed for dilapidated Torquay hotel

Plans to revitalise the site of a dilapidated hotel in Torquay have been revealed.The current owner of Virginia Hotel is Powis Hotels Limited, which owns and operates several venues in Torbay.It purchased the site in 2021 with a view to refurbishing it. However, investigations following the handover revealed a building “which is entirely unfit for modern tourism use”.A planning document submitted to Torbay Council noted that while Powis Hotels is “no stranger” to the needs and demands of modern tourists and the investment and development work needed to create holiday accommodation that the Bay can be proud of, in this instance the site, the present building and the location mean that “other options had to be considered”.It has now submitted plans to for change the use of the site and bring forward a new building to revitalise the area, providing “much-needed housing close to local amenities”.As such, proposals have been submitted for a 14-apartment development.”The scheme described herein will deliver quality housing at the affordable end of the spectrum with sufficient access to amenities,” said the design and access statement.”It will create-much needed housing on brownfield land, will remove an eyesore structure of limited value in the Conservation Area and with no viable possibility of an alternative use.”This solution remains the only prospect for a new use for the site.”