Plans for works at a former hotel on a “historically significant Georgian terrace” overlooking Tenby’s North Beach have been given the go-ahead by the National Park ahead of a later call for a formal change of use.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Fourcroft Management Ltd, through agent David J P Morgan RIBA Architect, sought permission for works to the Grade-II-listed former Fourcroft Hotel, The Croft.

The works in the application, and an accompanying Listed Building Consent application, include changes in fenestration on the rear facade at first floor and second floor levels and on staircase landings, blocking up modern openings formed to suit the previous hotel use, replacement sash windows and enlarging some original window opens, and other works.

A supporting statement said: “The Former Fourcroft Hotel formed part of a classical and historically significant Georgian terrace overlooking Tenby North beach. The terrace was originally 11 individual dwellings. Over the years there have been alterations, and the originality of the individual houses has been lost.

“Houses 1 and 2 have been combined and have been converted into apartments. Houses 3,4,5 and 6 were integrated to form the Fourcroft Hotel. Houses 7-11 remain visually, as single houses although have been converted internally into apartments.

“Repair and stabilisation of the building has been ongoing for the last two years or so.”

The statement said the current application “precedes a full application for change of use of the former Hotel and for alterations to the basement and ground floor facade including extensions and terraces in order to facilitate the new proposed use,” with the applications for alterations done in stages “due to legal complications over existing leases connected to the hotel”.

It said the works in the current scheme “will be positive and will not affect the architectural or historic interest of the building to a degree that would alter its special interest in any significant way but will certainly preserve that interest”.

The application was conditionally approved, an officer report saying it was “considered by officers to both preserve and enhance the appearance of Tenby Conservation Area,” and was “considered to be appropriate in terms of size, scale and detail”.

Back in June, members of Tenby Town Council welcomed further renovations to the premises - but also echoed concerns at a loss of hotel space for the seaside town.

Recommending approval, the Town Council stated: “While members feel that the proposal improves the aspect of the building and is in keeping with the character of the building's heritage, they concur with the views of Tenby Civic Society that, at this stage with no change of use proposed, there is concern at a loss of hotel space.

“It is speculated locally that the intent is to return the building to four town houses and members again concur with the views of the Civic Society that any houses permitted should be restricted to permanent residential use under the new permitted development use categories to reduce Tenby’s continuing loss of population.”