DEMOLITION of a 'completely unworkable' hotel to make way for two new hotel buildings in Port Gaverne has been given the go ahead by Cornwall Council.

Christopher Taylor, the owner of the Headlands Hotel, submitted a planning application to demolish it and erect a new purpose-built 14-bedroom hotel on the footprint of the existing building and on adjacent lower land to the south.

The application was approved at the council's East Sub-Area planning committee meeting at Liskeard on Monday by seven to five votes.

Mr Taylor said of the existing hotel: "It is completely unworkable. It is on three stories.

"It's the sort of hotel room you go into and feel ill. It is a fire risk beyond all belief.

"People don't want to stay in a hotel with Victorian windows and a glimpse of the sea."

The hotel is in an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) and was last thought to be used as a hotel in 2011.

The planning case officer, Gavin Smith, recommended approval and added: "My opinion is that the scheme would generate economic benefit, the design is acceptable on balance and landscape harm is sufficiently mitigated, because the proposal replaces the existing building."

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.