A LISTED building could now be turned into a hotel after plans to convert it into a ‘party house’ were turned down.
The proposal for Pitmaston House in Worcester would see part of the building converted into a hotel under new plans by owners Blockwork.
The new application comes after previous plans to convert the building were rejected twice by Worcester City Council – despite the work already being carried out – with planners saying that turning Pitmaston House into a mix of residential and holiday apartments would create too much noise and disturb neighbours.
Nevertheless, that work could still go ahead if an appeal is backed by a government inspector – with a decision still to be made.
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A statement included with the application said: “There is a significant difference between a hotel and a multi-bedroom holiday let. A holiday let, such as that which has been refused, is managed by the occupants, and relies on their good behaviour and self-management.
"Bookings for one related group, friends and/or family, are more likely to stay in the building to socialise and congregate together on site and potentially create the nuisance that has been complained about.
“A hotel operates very differently. Visitors are more likely to be unrelated and to interact far less than a single large group.
“Rooms are available individually rather than the whole house needing to be booked, so the building may not always be fully occupied.
“Staff will be on hand to immediately check any potential problems and prevent noise and nuisance from reaching any significant level.”
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Blockworks has been battling with the council over obtaining the correct planning permission for the grade II listed building off Malvern Road, in St John's, after the developer had its proposals to convert seven rooms into a mix of residential and holiday flats rejected at the end of 2020.
The developer then appealed to the government’s planning inspector in a bid to get the council’s decision overturned but was unsuccessful.
More than 30 frustrated neighbours objected to the latest plan saying that 'shouting, screaming and loud music into the early hours' at the holiday let had turned a quiet residential street into 'a holiday resort in Spain.'
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