Hastings Planning Strategy Proposed Submission Version

Search representations

Results for Bourne Leisure Ltd. search

New search New search

Support

Hastings Planning Strategy Proposed Submission Version

2.3

Representation ID: 3886

Received: 17/08/2012

Representation Summary:

Paragraphs 2.3 and 2.39
Bourne Leisure supports the acknowledgement at paragraph 2.3 of the Hastings Planning Strategy that tourism will continue to be an important part of the Hastings economy, and likewise endorses paragraph 2.39's comment that "the tourism strategy is now based around attracting more staying visitors back to the town and encouraging the retention and development of good quality tourism accommodation combined with an active programme of arts and cultural events and festivals".

Bourne Leisure considers that both statements are sound (effective) and reflect the Borough's Tourism Strategy.

Full text:

Paragraphs 2.3 and 2.39
Bourne Leisure supports the acknowledgement at paragraph 2.3 of the Hastings Planning Strategy that tourism will continue to be an important part of the Hastings economy, and likewise endorses paragraph 2.39's comment that "the tourism strategy is now based around attracting more staying visitors back to the town and encouraging the retention and development of good quality tourism accommodation combined with an active programme of arts and cultural events and festivals".

Bourne Leisure considers that both statements are sound (effective) and reflect the Borough's Tourism Strategy.

Support

Hastings Planning Strategy Proposed Submission Version

7b)

Representation ID: 3889

Received: 17/08/2012

Representation Summary:

Bourne Leisure supports part (b) of Objective 7 and welcomes this specific support for the tourism industry. Both the Vision and Objective 7 are considered to be sound as they reflect the acknowledged importance of tourism set out at paragraph 9.16 of the Planning Strategy and accord with the recognised importance of tourism, as previously stated in the Hastings Accommodation SPD.

Full text:

The Vision and Objective 7
Bourne Leisure supports the statement in the Vision for Hastings by 2028 that the town will be "a safe and thriving place to live, work and visit.."
The Vision will be achieved by means of a number of objectives, including Objective 7: Making best use of the Seafront and promoting tourism.
Bourne Leisure supports part (b) of Objective 7 which states that the Vision will be achieved by:
"7b) supporting the growth and development of the tourism industry in Hastings by retaining and encouraging day visitors and attracting high spending staying visitors, maximising the value of visitor spend, and spreading tourist activity throughout the year".
Bourne Leisure welcomes this specific support for the tourism industry and considers that both the Vision and Objective 7 are sound as they reflect the acknowledged importance of tourism set out elsewhere in the Planning Strategy, for example, at paragraph 9.16, which states:
"The tourism industry is vital to the economy of Hastings and is key to meeting our overall regeneration objectives. It contributes £211m to the local economic and supports an estimated 4,850 jobs (3,550 FTE)".
The Vision and Objective 7 also accord with the recognised importance of tourism, as previously stated in the Hastings Accommodation SPD.

Support

Hastings Planning Strategy Proposed Submission Version

5.15

Representation ID: 3890

Received: 17/08/2012

Representation Summary:

Strategy for the Western Area
Combe Valley Countryside Park

Bourne Leisure supports the vision for the Combe Valley Countryside Park, as set out at paragraph 5.15, which is to "create and manage a high quality sustainable, attractive and accessible multifunctional countryside area to serve the recreational and economic needs of residents and visitors" and considers that this will have a beneficial effect on tourism in the Borough.

Full text:

Strategy for the Western Area
Combe Valley Countryside Park

Bourne Leisure supports the vision for the Combe Valley Countryside Park, as set out at paragraph 5.15, which is to "create and manage a high quality sustainable, attractive and accessible multifunctional countryside area to serve the recreational and economic needs of residents and visitors" and considers that this will have a beneficial effect on tourism in the Borough.

Support

Hastings Planning Strategy Proposed Submission Version

5.23

Representation ID: 3898

Received: 17/08/2012

Representation Summary:

Bourne Leisure considers that paragraph 5.23 should be amended to state that full account will also be taken of: the specific characteristics and vulnerability of any existing or proposed land use; whether the residual risks of flooding to people and property are acceptable and can be satisfactorily managed; and whether the proposed development makes a positive contribution to reducing or managing flood risk.

Full text:

Areas of Flood Risk

Bourne Leisure notes that paragraph 5.23 refers to flooding being a key issue within parts of Western area and specifically identifies that flood zones 2 and 3 encompass areas along Combe Haven between Pebsham and the Combe Haven Holiday Park. Paragraph 5.23 continues that development in these areas will need to demonstrate how flood risk has been addressed in accordance with Policy SC7, through the application of the sequential and exception tests where necessary, and the submission of detailed flood risk assessments.

Whilst Bourne Leisure accepts in principle the need for risk-based sequential and exception tests to be undertaken, the Company considers that paragraph 5.23 should be amended to state that full account will also be taken of: the specific characteristics and vulnerability of any existing or proposed land use; whether the residual risks of flooding to people and property are acceptable and can be satisfactorily managed; and whether the proposed development makes a positive contribution to reducing or managing flood risk.

The Company considers that this approach would be more effective, given the aims at paragraph 5.9 and within Policy FA1 to increase housing, employment and tourism in the area.

Support

Hastings Planning Strategy Proposed Submission Version

Policy FA1: Strategic Policy for Western Area

Representation ID: 3907

Received: 17/08/2012

Representation Summary:

Bourne Leisure supports point (c) of Policy FA1, which encourages the retention of existing and provision of more high quality visitor accommodation in specific locations, but considers that it is important to promote tourism generally throughout the Western area.

In regard to point (k) of Policy FA1, Bourne Leisure would reiterate the need to take account of the specific characteristics and vulnerability of any existing or proposed land use; whether the residual risks of flooding are acceptable and can be satisfactorily managed; and whether the proposed development makes a positive contribution to reducing or managing flood risk.

Full text:

Policy FA1: Strategic Policy for Western Area

Bourne Leisure supports point (c) of Policy FA1 which states that in the Western Area, the Council will:
c) encourage the retention of existing and provision of more high quality visitor accommodation along the Seafront, the main arterial routes and close to other generators of demand.

However, the Company considers that it is important too, to promote tourism generally throughout the Western area, in order to achieve Objective 7b.

Policy FA1 also states that the Council will:
k) direct development to areas at the lowest risk of flooding and require site specific Flood Risk Assessments to be provided for development in areas at a higher risk as identified in the Strategic Risk Assessment- in the vicinity of Bulvehythe and West Marina and the Combe Haven River..";

In regard to point (k), Bourne Leisure would reiterate the comments made on supporting paragraph 5.23 i.e. that whilst Bourne Leisure accepts in principle the need for risk-based sequential and exception tests to be undertaken, full account should also be taken of: the specific characteristics and vulnerability of any existing or proposed land use; whether the residual risks of flooding to people and property are acceptable and can be satisfactorily managed; and whether the proposed development makes a positive contribution to reducing or managing flood risk.

The Company considers that this approach would be more effective, given the aims at paragraph 5.9 and within Policy FA1 to increase housing, employment and tourism in the area.

Support

Hastings Planning Strategy Proposed Submission Version

9.20

Representation ID: 3920

Received: 17/08/2012

Representation Summary:

Bourne Leisure notes the reference to a lack of quality visitor accommodation (paragraph 9.20) and to the importance of self catering accommodation (paragraph 9.22).

Bourne Leisure does not, however, accept the subsequent statement that there has been "no recent evidence" of demand for further caravan and camping accommodation in the town.

Bourne Leisure nonetheless strongly agrees with the Council that emerging policies should be:

"... maintaining and where possible improving the quality of what is there....any proposals to upgrade the facilities will be supported wherever possible- in order to support jobs growth and encourage continued visitor spend".

Full text:

Paragraphs 9.20 and 9.22

Bourne Leisure notes that paragraph 9.20 states that "one problem is a lack of quality visitor accommodation. The town currently has 1,000 serviced visitor bed spaces, which are not all good quality, compared to a total of 8,000 in 1951 (excluding camping and caravans)".

Paragraph 9.22 then specifically states that "self-catering accommodation, mainly caravans and camping, actually provides more spaces than the traditional hotels and guest houses. Most is located on several large sites including the Combe Haven ...".

Bourne Leisure does not accept the subsequent statement that there has been "no recent evidence" of demand for further caravan and camping accommodation in the town; this is not Bourne Leisure's view of the current and future visitor economy in Hastings. Bourne Leisure nonetheless strongly agrees with the Council that emerging policies should be:

"... maintaining and where possible improving the quality of what is there is important. Therefore any proposals to upgrade the facilities will be supported wherever possible- in order to support jobs growth and encourage continued visitor spend".

Priorities for Tourism

Bourne Leisure then specifically supports the following priorities for tourism:

* working towards an all year-round tourist season; and
* retaining and supporting improved accommodation.

Support

Hastings Planning Strategy Proposed Submission Version

Policy E4: Tourism and Visitors

Representation ID: 3931

Received: 17/08/2012

Representation Summary:

Bourne Leisure strongly supports the Council's aims to promote and secure sustainable tourism development, encourage a more diverse and high quality tourism offer, extend existing visitor accommodation and encourage proposals for upgrading caravan and camping facilities.

In order to fund higher grade accommodation and facilities, it is often necessary to increase the size of holiday parks. Bourne Leisure therefore considers that paragraph six of Policy E4 should be amended to state:

Proposals for upgrading caravan and camping facilities, including an extension in area, will be encouraged where it increases the range and/or quality available to the tourist."

Full text:

Policy E4: Tourism and Visitors

Bourne Leisure strongly supports the first paragraph of Policy E4 which states:

"The Council will work to promote and secure sustainable tourism development in the town. A more diverse and high quality tourism offer will be encouraged that seeks to lengthen the tourism season, increase the number of visitors, provide job opportunities and sustain the tourism economy."

This positive approach towards tourism development reflects recent policy guidance set out in the Hastings Visitor Accommodation SPD (March 2011), which recognises that the tourist industry is an important component of the local economy in Hastings, contributing £211m to the local economy and supporting an estimated 4850 jobs (paragraph 1). Paragraph 2 of the SPD also recognises that staying visitors are a particularly important element of the tourist economy, whilst paragraph 3 states that "the provision of new visitor accommodation and the maintenance and, where necessary, improvement of existing accommodation are therefore of key importance to the town".

The Company then specifically supports the second part of paragraph four of Policy E4 in regard to visitor accommodation, which states:

"Extension to existing visitor accommodation will also be supported subject to design and location policies".

Bourne Leisure also strongly supports the statement at paragraph six of Policy E4 that:

"Proposals for upgrading caravan and camping facilities will be encouraged where it increases the range and/or quality available to the tourist."

Both paragraphs four and six reflect the Borough's evidence that there is a need to maintain and improve existing tourism accommodation in Hastings.

With reference specifically to Bourne Leisure's operations in the Borough, at Combe Haven Holiday Park, the Company acknowledges that in order to respond to changing market conditions for higher grade accommodation, there is a need to invest regularly. During 2011, Bourne Leisure invested some £104 million in improving facilities and accommodation generally on its sites.

Bourne Leisure anticipates that over the next few years there will be a continuing demand for holidays 'at home', influenced by the higher costs of flying and a tighter economy, meaning that holidaymakers are looking for 'value for money' holidays. It is therefore vitally important that holiday facilities such as those operated by Bourne Leisure at Combe Haven are in the future able to provide the necessary range of high quality visitor accommodation, higher amenity standards and associated leisure and recreation facilities. In turn, these facilities will serve to enhance the overall tourism offer of the area and contribute fully to the visitor economy and thereby, to the wider local economy.

Bourne Leisure would also stress that in order to fund these improvements, it is often necessary to increase the size of holiday parks. The Company therefore considers that paragraph six of Policy E4 should be amended to state:

Proposals for upgrading caravan and camping facilities, including an extension in area, will be encouraged where it increases the range and/or quality available to the tourist."

If you are having trouble using the system, please try our help guide.