Poole: £4m hotel gets go-ahead

Revised plans for a proposed £4 million hotel development at leading Poole attraction, Compton Acres, have been granted planning permission.

Approval of the Italianate inspired development comes after months of hard work for the attraction, which adapted plans following consultation with various interested parties.

Situated at the bottom of Compton Acres’ existing car park, without compromising the provision of spaces, the development will consist of a 36 bedroom hotel and five apartments, featuring an 18 metre tower, which will be adorned with trees at its summit.

Described earlier this year by tourism chiefs as “one of the most environmentally friendly hotels in the country”, the development will use recycled rainwater, an innovative ground source heating system and sustainable building materials sourced locally. The building will also be ‘super insulated’ and use natural ventilation, low energy appliances and fittings.

Complementing the Grade II listed gardens at Compton Acres, a connection with the natural environment will feature throughout the hotel, with plants suitable for indoor use being positioned to reduce carbon dioxide levels.

Owner of Compton Acres, Bernard Merna, said: “We are extremely pleased our revised plans for the hotel have been granted planning permission. We listened carefully to the suggestions provided and worked hard at making improvements and changes to the proposed development.

“This summer we have witnessed visitor numbers at Compton Acres increase by 10 per cent compared to the same period in 2008, with September also witnessing a 20 per cent growth in visitors compared to the same month last year. It’s therefore more important than ever before for us to invest in our product in order to meet visitor demands and exceed their expectations.

“The provision of a hotel will not only improve our visitor offering, but also satisfy the demand for accommodation currently being experienced by our wedding venue, the Italian Villa, which this year became the largest venue in Poole to hold civil ceremonies, with permission to hold weddings for 250 people.”

Bruce Grant-Braham, chairman of Poole Tourism, added: “The owners of Compton Acres have re-established the 10 acre landscape in Canford Cliffs as one of the finest privately owned gardens in the UK. The visitor attraction is a gem in the crown of tourism in Poole.

“The welcome addition of the hotel will certainly further develop the quality product already on offer at Compton Acres and with its commitment to the environment and sustainability, the hotel will set the standard for eco-developments now and in the future.”