A TENBY seaside hotel has received approval to transform into short-term holiday lets to adapt to a changing tourism sector, enhancing its long-term viability.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Abergavenny-based Kyle Williams, sought 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 said 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 added: “The Hildebrand Hotel is an established visitor accommodation property located within Tenby, Pembrokeshire, one of Wales’ premier coastal tourism destinations.”

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 added: “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.”

Tenby Town Council said it raised no fundamental objection to the proposal, but did raise concerns about the practical implications of changing from a hotel to self-contained holiday accommodation, with existing parking pressures on Victoria Street and the need for robust waste disposal arrangements.

It requested that appropriate conditions be imposed to safeguard residential amenity in relation to parking and waste management, should planning permission be granted.

Tenby Civic Society had raised concerns that no justification has been provided to demonstrate that the existing hotel use is unsustainable, and that Tenby should continue to maintain a varied range of visitor accommodation.

One neighbouring occupier raised no objection to the proposed change of use but expressed concern regarding the potential for the property to change to residential use in the future if it fails to meet the occupancy requirements associated with its change of use.

They also raised concerns that the building could subsequently be converted to flats or a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), which was considered would alter the character of Victoria Street.

An officer report, which recommended approval, said those schemes “are not before officers for consideration and supposition cannot be considered a material planning consideration, so the application must be considered on the basis of the current proposal”.

It added: “The proposal does not involve any external alterations to the building or changes to the site’s access arrangements. The character and appearance of the property, and its contribution to the Tenby Conservation Area, would therefore remain unchanged.”

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The application was conditionally approved by Park planners, conditions including it shall be used solely for short-term holiday accommodation and for no other purpose.