Controversial ‘eyesore’ Torquay hotel could return to its former glory

A Torquay hotel, which has become what one neighbour called “an utter eyesore and a hive of drug activity”, could be returned to its former glory as a new flats development.

The Seascape Hotel in Tor Church Road has been used in recent years as emergency accommodation for homeless people.

READ NEXT: Lifeboat volunteers save lives after more than 100 'shouts' across Torbay in last year

Now a developer is set to take it on and turn it into 29 apartments, of which six would be available for social or affordable rent.

An application has been lodged with Torbay Council by an Essex-based developer who wants to convert and extend the hotel and its garage, as well as knock down parts of the existing buildings, alter the façades and access, and build additional floorspace above the garage.

The hotel dates from the mid to late Victorian period, when it was built as a series of connected buildings: two four-storey blocks linked by a single-storey structure. 

It forms part of a crescent which also includes the Templestowe Hotel.

The properties became the Seascape Hotel in 1929. Extensions were added in the 1930s and 1960s. 

It currently has 57 guest bedrooms, function rooms and bars, plus a manager’s apartment and service rooms.

ABOVE: How the Seascape Hotel in Torquay could look (Image courtesy: MTA Chartered Architects/Torbay Council) 

The application states: “Over the past few years it has steadily declined, creating an unfortunate cluster of poorly maintained buildings.

“The scope of this project is to redevelop an important building that has formed part of Torquay’s story into something worthy of its location. 

“Thankfully, Seascape Hotel has retained much of its original adornment, so bringing this back to full appreciation will be reasonably straightforward.”

Among the comments left so far on the council’s planning portal is one from a nearby resident, which states: “Absolutely full of praise for this proposal!”

“The current use of the Seascape is as emergency accommodation and unfortunately it has become an utter eyesore and a hive of drug activity.

“This will never be a hotel again and it desperately needs to be changed from its current form, with much-needed housing for the local community.”