Public reports pack PDF 9 MB - Gravesham Borough Council

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(b) Proposals for hotel development must demonstrate that they will have no
significant adverse environmental or transport impact.
(c) Proposals which would result in the loss, without replacement, of good quality
accommodation will not be permitted unless there is overriding economic advantage to
the area from the development.
(d) The conversion or extension of existing buildings to provide small hotels, bed and
breakfast or self catering accommodation will be permitted provided this causes no
harm to the local environment.
(e) The improvement of touring and static caravan and camping sites will be permitted
if the development benefits the local environment.
Further to the above policy, with the recent adoption of the South East Plan the
policies contained in the Kent & Medway Structure Plan are effectively superseded
and will cease to have any status after 6 July 2009. It is therefore relevant to refer to
the following policy included within the South East Plan:
POLICY TSR5: TOURIST ACCOMMODATION
The diversity of the accommodation sector will be positively reflected in tourism and
planning policies.
i. In formulating planning policies and making decisions local planning authorities should:
consider the need for hotel developments to be in the proposed location, including links
with the particular location, transport interchange or visitor attraction, and seek measures
to increase access for all by sustainable transport modes;
• provide specific guidance on the appropriate location for relevant accommodation
sub-sectors. This should be informed by their different site requirements and
market characteristics and how these relate to local planning objectives
• encourage the extension of hotels where this is required to upgrade the quality of
the existing stock to meet changing consumer demands.
• include policies to protect the accommodation stock where there is evidence of
market demand
• strongly encourage the provision of affordable staff accommodation as part of new
and existing accommodation facilities in areas of housing pressure. The criteria for
the application of such a requirement should be clearly set out in the development
plans
• facilitate the upgrading and enhancement of existing un-serviced accommodation,
including extensions where this will not harm landscape quality or identified
environmental assets. Particular attention should be paid to identifying suitable
sites for the relocation of holiday parks under threat from coastal erosion or
flooding.
ii Tourism South East and local authorities should, working together, undertake active
monitoring of the demand for and supply of tourism accommodation on a regional and
sub-regional basis.
5. Reason for Report
Previous applications considered by the Board.
REPORT NO 7 PAGE 4