Plans submitted to turn Minehead hotel into private home

Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT) has received a change of use planning application for Channel House Hotel, located on Church Path.

The current owners, Deborah and Andrew Ross, have run the eight-bedroom hotel for 16 years but will retire in September, after which the building will remain vacant.

The Channel House website describes it as a “luxury three-star hotel” with “views over the coast”.

Read more: Travelodge identifies Minehead and Yeovil as target locations for new hotels 

It has two acres of garden space and offers en-suite accommodation.

The planning application states: “The hotel has been marketed for five years and has been marketed for the last two years at £850,000.

“No one who viewed wanted to buy the place as a hotel. They either wanted to use the property as a private residence or part-living part-let.”

It adds: “The market for this kind of B&B type-hotel has been decreasing, and hotels in Minehead have been closing down at a fast rate for nearly 20 years. Up until the 1960s, Channel House was itself a private house.”

The location of Channel House Hotel in relation to the seafront. Picture: Google Maps

Terry Venner, the independent SWT councillor for Minehead North, commented: “I neither support nor object to this application, but request all relevant policies of the council are taken into account when determining this application regarding its location near to the Minehead North Hill conservation area.

“Whilst I appreciate the changes in the holiday market, it's still a great loss to the local economy and employment within Minehead. Any loss of holiday accommodation is very regrettable.”

SWT received this planning application on Wednesday, July 8. It can be viewed online HERE.

Planning applications received by SWT in the week ending June 30

The following applications and notifications have been received for consideration by SWT.

They can be viewed online (www.somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk/planning) or electronically at the reception of Deane House, Belvedere Road.

EAST QUANTOXHEAD

3/11/22/003: Erection of an agricultural building for housing of livestock with yard. Coggans, 30 Frog Street, East Quantoxhead, TA5 1EJ.

HATCH BEAUCHAMP

19/22/0012: Installation of solar array in field adjacent to Perris, Village Road, Hatch Beauchamp.

KINGSTON ST MARY

20/22/0021/T: Notification to fell four Larch trees (two dead) and one Cherry Plum and to carry out management works to one Cherry Plum tree within Kingston St. Mary Conservation Area at Badgershay, Lodes Lane, Kingston St. Mary.

KILVE

3/18/22/006: Demolition of barn and erection of 1 No. detached dwelling with associated access, parking and landscaping. The Cider Barn, Main Road, Kilve, TA5 1DZ.

MINEHEAD

3/21/22/070: Installation of ground mounted photovoltaic panels. Vikings, Beacon Road, Minehead, TA24 5SE.

3/21/22/068: Erection of a single storey extension and conversion of outbuilding to form granny annexe. Woodcombe Farmhouse, Woodcombe Lane, Minehead, TA24 8SB.

3/21/22/066: Installation of solar panels. 2A Summerland Road, Minehead, TA24 5BP.

3/21/22/062: Change of Use from Class C1 Hotel to Class C3, 1 No. dwelling. Channel House Hotel, Church Path, Minehead, TA24 5QG.

NORTON FITZWARREN

25/22/0016: Erection of a single storey extension to connect dwelling to garage at Cedar Gables, Church Lane, Norton Fitzwarren.

STAPLEGROVE

34/22/0018/T: Notification to carry out management works to two Holly trees, one Oak (dead-wooding only), one Portuguese Laurel and one Yew tree within Staplegrove Conservation Area at Kibbys House, Manor Road, Staplegrove.

STOGURSEY

3/32/22/016: Erection of 1 No. agricultural workers dwelling (resubmission of 3/32/21/021). Land off Ridgeway Lane, Stogursey.

TAUNTON

38/22/0206/LB: Replacement of wooden gate with electronic sliding aluminium gate at Richard Huish College, South Road, Taunton.

WATCHET

3/37/22/010: Demolition of garage and erection of side and rear extensions. 1 Wouldham Road, Watchet, TA23 0EQ.

WELLINGTON

43/22/0060: Erection of a part two storey and part single storey extension to the side and rear of 40 Howard Road, Wellington.

WEST MONKTON

48/22/0034: Erection of a single storey extension to the side with conversion of garage into ancillary accommodation at Overton Cottage, Burlinch Lane, West Monkton (resubmission of 48/21/0048).

48/22/0036: Erection of a single storey extension to the rear with porch to the front and detached garden room at 109 Farriers Green, Monkton Heathfield.