Shanklin Hotel Expansion Aims To Boost Island Tourism

An Isle of Wight hotel with panoramic views of the sea could be expanded with new sitting rooms and roof terraces.

Luccombe Hotels is looking to add a modern extension to Luccombe Manor on Shanklin’s Popham Road with three living rooms and three terraces above.

The proposal reflects a need for more tourism and expansion to meet present demand, according to a Design, Access and Heritage Statement from Nova Architectural.

A ‘further investment in quality’, the plans would improve guest experiences, increase revenue potential and strengthen the site’s role in the Isle of Wight’s tourism economy.

The statement says:

“This new single-storey addition would provide dedicated sitting rooms to support the recently approved planning permission (24/01583/FUL), which allows for the creation of three additional hotel accommodation rooms at Luccombe Manor.

“Evidence from Luccombe Manor’s sister site, Luccombe Hall, situated just to the south demonstrates the significant value of balcony and terrace provisions.

“Following the introduction of rooms with balcony/roof-terrace access, Luccombe Hall achieved a 24 per cent increase in occupancy, rising from 69 per cent to 93 per cent.”

In December last year, approval was granted for three new bedrooms providing ‘high end’ accommodation with garden access at the hotel, following multiple failed expansion bids.

The month before, the Planning Inspectorate dismissed an appeal over a rejected application to add a ten bedroom extension and three ground floor bedrooms to the three-star premises.

Explaining its grounds for dismissing the appeal, the inspectorate said the plan would have a “harmful effect on the character and appearance of the host building and of the area”.

The Isle of Wight Council’s public consultation on proposal 25/01761/FUL concludes on January 14 and a decision is due on February 4.