Holiday homes not hotel for Duckhaven?
AN APPLICATION to build four holiday homes at a former stable in Westward Ho! has been submitted.
The application for Duckhaven Stud in Cornborough Road is to convert 13 stables to four holiday units, incorporating a recycling centre.
The site was previously the subject of a controversial planning application for a 28-bedroom hotel, which was rejected by planners.
Northam Town Council, who act as consultants on the planning application, has recommended refusal stating the stables should be demolished if they are not needed, rather than developed.
The council was also concerned about the effect the proposals would have on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
But applicant Kathy Murdoch believes the homes will be let some 20 weeks of the year and further winter use would be enabled through specialist holidays utilising the site's current facilities.
Northam councillor Roger Johnson described the application as "rather mild" compared to the hotel and didn't feel the development would be "too much of a problem."
He said: "We're trying to encourage more people to come on holiday here and we need more bed spaces so we can keep jobs."
But not all his fellow councillors agreed. Cllr Sue Collins said: "Why do people come here? It is because we've got all this scenic beauty and it is only by retaining that we will encourage people to come."
3 Comments
by Seamus Carr, Bideford
Friday, November 13 2009, 12:07PM
“On the proposed devopment of holiday cottages at Duckhaven, one point hasbeen missed. When I first visited the above, there was r far more then the current proposal of holiday accomodation existing on this site.”
by ladybird, UK
Sunday, November 08 2009, 12:47PM
“Yes I agree. Surely there is enough empty sites within Westward Ho! to develop without encroaching on green land?”
by steve, westward ho
Saturday, November 07 2009, 5:34PM
“more holiday homes, my god how many do we need, there are loads in the ho and we will have even more once the chalets are completed on the old Braddicks site. Listen all TDC and NTC why cant we just leave that area alone, demolish the site and turn it into a wild open space for all to enjoy, why build more and more??? even those flats on the front aren't selling. ill tell you one thing i'll be putting my objections to this. we need to improve the village itself before we build more temporary accommodation”