A HISTORIC building in Launceston can be changed from a hotel to a residence, Cornwall Council has decided.

But the council planning committee chairman on Monday expressed his ‘deep regret’ at supporting the change of use of the ‘beautiful building’ that is Eagle House Hotel.

Cllr Andrew Long told the east sub area planning committee: “I think it will be a really sad loss to the town centre. I’m more concerned about what we can do if we refuse it — it will close because no business can sustain the losses it’s experiencing at the moment.

“It’s a beautiful building, but the preservation of it is the key to this, I think.”

Francis Gerald Dunlavey, whose family own Eagle House, spoke at the committee meeting, telling councillors he understood it was an ‘emotive application’.

He said: “Eagle House is no longer viable as a hotel and totally compelling evidence has been disclosed.”

Referring to documents submitted with the application, and stating that their ‘real term losses’ over the past 29 months equated to ‘£200,000’, Mr Dunlavey continued: “We have shown our tourism business is pitifully low. We are no longer the venue of choice for local groups and societies.

“Eagle House isn’t being demolished. It’s impossible to convert the building into flats.”

The town council had objected to the planning application.

Mr Dunlavey added that the town council was in direct competition with the hotel: “They are advertising very heavily and have taken a great deal of business away from us.”

Noting positive reviews on the TripAdvisor travel review website, Cllr Derek Holley said: “I couldn’t understand how the building wasn’t viable. I couldn’t understand why you wish to close it with that potential.”

Cllr Stephanie McWilliam queried why the hotel did not provide a full time restaurant or bar.

Mr Dunlavey said: “We are unable to have a restaurant. There is a function suite and we are dealing with a Georgian building. If there is a function on which involves a disco or band we are severely limited due to internal noise problems. If you were having a restaurant and function on at the same time there would be numerous complaints from diners.

“We only have 12 bedrooms and they couldn’t support a permanent restaurant function.”

Recently elected Liberal Democrat Cornwall Councillor for Launceston Central Gemma Massey said she has ‘spoken to many local residents’ while campaigning.

She said: “Many of them did express concerns. This is one of the main venues within the town centre. Losing it will impact the town. I feel it should be marketed stronger.

“Yes there are residential properties on Castle Street, however, there is a museum and there is an entrance to the Castle. There is going to be disruption because it’s in the heart of the town. I can’t support this unfortunately.”

Cllr McWilliam added: “This is a difficult one. Instinctively, normally I want to support local economy, however, if there are no clients there is no local spend.

“I don’t feel we can expect the owners to keep sustaining losses at the level they have been.”

Cllr John Fitter said: “This is a difficult building to maintain and still offer a level of service clients expect today. You don’t spend a ton of money on 12 bedrooms — it’s not a viable hotel with 12 bedrooms. There is nothing else these people can do.

“It’s going to be rather a grand house but that’s the way it is.”

The planning officer pointed out there had been ‘seemingly less objection than there was the first time’ the application was submitted.

Eleven councillors voted in favour of approving the application, and four councillors against.

Mr Dunlavey told the Post after the meeting: “We are pleased — it was the right decision.”

The Grade II* listed property was built in about 1760 as a residential property and became a guest house in the early 1960s.