Bantham Estate Faces Local Opposition Over Boathouse Holiday Let Proposal

The owner of a rural estate is encountering local resistance concerning his proposal to transform a section of a listed boathouse into a holiday rental. Nicholas Johnston, who owns the 728 acre (295 hectare) Bantham estate located in south Devon, intends to establish holiday accommodation on the upper level of the Grade II-listed Coronation Boathouse. Constructed in 1937 to commemorate the coronation of George VI, the boathouse was erected “for the community” and, in the view of Thurlestone Parish Council, should not be converted into a holiday let. The council expressed this stance by voting unanimously to oppose the plans. The estate stated that undertaking the conversion and restoration of the structure would ensure it was “preserved for generations to enjoy”. These plans represent the most recent in a sequence of proposals put forward for the two-storey thatched boathouse situated on the bank of the River Avon, following Mr Johnston’s acquisition of the estate for over £11m in 2014. In 2021, proposals for a restaurant were retracted subsequent to 150 objections. The subsequent year saw a holiday let application denied, and earlier this year, authorization was given for the ground floor to be used for wine storage and the packing of alcohol. The parish council was informed that the boathouse has remained unoccupied since 2019, when a local boatbuilder vacated the premises. Councillor Gill Stone commented, “It was built as a community asset.” She added, “We have a unique building and once it’s gone it’s gone.” She proposed that a more suitable application for the building would involve boat maintenance or another purpose connected to marine activities. The heritage and environment organization, the South Hams Society, has similarly voiced its opposition to the proposals, asserting that “both the character of the building and its internal fabric and appearance would be irreparably altered”. According to the planning application, the estate acknowledges the boathouse’s “importance to the village and values its historic estuary setting”. The application further indicates that the boathouse requires “significant renovation and investment” amounting to over £430,000, and that the proposed redevelopment would contribute to financing this refurbishment. In a statement, the estate affirmed that the conversion would constitute a “sensitive and sustainable development that will deliver much needed investment to the listed building and its environs”. It added, “The holiday let repurposes the first floor of the building, which has been vacant for several years, in a way that preserves the building’s historic fabric.” The statement also claimed, “It will increase spending power within the village and surrounding areas, and will generally support local tourism.” The planning authority, South Hams District Council, is scheduled to review the application at a subsequent time. For updates, follow BBC Devon on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.