PLANS to renovate an historic former hotel on Clevedon’s seafront have been recommended for approval by North Somerset Council planning officers.

The ambitious proposals would see the Royal Pier Hotel next to the town’s Victorian pier restored and an additional, contemporary building created alongside to allow 17 new flats to be created in the whole development.

The plans have been put together by Freemantle Developments, a Bristol-based company that bought the Marine Parade grade II-listed building last year, and would see the old and new buildings linked by a glazed structure housing a car-lift down to the parking area below.

The proposals are due to be decided on by members of North Somerset Council’s north area planning committee on Friday.

In a report for the meeting, planning officers have said they would recommend the proposals for approval, stating they would ‘significantly benefit the heritage asset and will visually lift the profile of the site within the context of the seafront location’.

Eight letters of objection have been received regarding the plans, with nearby residents raising concerns about a loss of views, loss of light and insufficient parking provision.

* Also due to be considered at Friday’s meeting are proposals to change the use of a retail unit in Old Church Road, Clevedon, into a Domino’s Pizza takeaway outlet.

A whopping 41 letters of objection have been received by North Somerset Council with many people raising concerns about the number of takeaways already in the town centre, the potential for more parking problems and an increase in noise and smells.

Many people were also left perplexed at the fact Domino’s want to open directly opposite an existing independent pizza takeaway business.

Despite the number of objections, these proposals have also been recommended for approval by council planning officers.

* A 108-bed hotel could be constructed in Portishead if proposals are approved at Friday’s planning committee meeting.

The hotel is planned for land at Portishead Quay at the junction of Harbour Road and Newfoundland Way and would include a three and four-storey building in an L shape.

On the ground floor there would be a reception, bar, meeting facilities and a restaurant. These plans have been recommended for approval by planning officers.

* Also recommended for approval are plans to re-develop Grange Farm in Portishead’s High Street into 58 sheltered apartments for the elderly with communal facilities and a 24-space car park.

Concerns including the fact the development would be out of keeping with the surrounding area, the potential for increased parking problems, a lack of consideration being given to the historical importance of the site and the fact other retirement developments have vacant units have been raised in 12 letters of objection written to North Somerset Council.

Portishead and North Weston Town Council also objected to the plans. Despite this, these plans have also been recommended for approval by planning officers.