The Dartmoor National Park Authority’s development management committee on Friday morning was united behind supporting the officer recommendation to refuse the scheme for the Dolbeare Meadow Business Park.
It was third time that the proposal for an 80 bedroom hotel had gone before the committee – having twice been deferred at the last minute – but members agreed that the hotel was not small scale tourism and had a poor bulk, scale and design, and thus was contrary to the Local Plan.
One objector described the hotel as like ‘the cruise ships that blight Venice with their size and scale’, with traders in the town saying that it would have posed a threat to their livelihood.’
Cllr Elaine Baker, from Ashburton town council, urged the committee to reject the plans.
An open had been sent by Premier Inn, affirming Whitbread’s commitment to investing into Ashburton and contributing to the sustainable development of the town and the National Park economy, and calling for the scheme to be approved, highlighting the long-term benefits the scheme would bring as the town and the National Park look to bounce back from the challenges and setbacks created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Paul Smith, Acquisition Manager at Premier Inn, said: ‘Whitbread stands ready to commit more than £5m into Ashburton and to play our part in contributing towards a strong local economy for years to come. A new well-run hotel which delivers on jobs, on confidence, on strengthening the town and its economy, and on unlocking stalled development at Dolbeare Business Park is all about benefits in my opinion. That’s why we’ve written today to highlight the opportunity and encourage it to be grasped.’
The committee unanimously backed the officer recommendation and refused the application.