A plan to build a care home in place of a seafront hotel has been refused by councillors.
Firm Simply UK applied for planning permission to demolish the Parkstone Hotel in Prestwick and build a 64 bedroom care home.
The bid sparked 23 objections from residents voicing concerns over parking, losing the hotel, infrastructure and noise pollution among others.
The historic Parkstone venue has operated for more than 80 years and has hosted many weddings and other occasions over the years.
Councillors sitting on the South Ayrshire Council regulatory panel rejected the planning application for the Ardayre Road care home on Thursday (12 Nov).
Councillor Ian Cavana who attended the online meeting said: “It would have been a blot in the landscape. It did not fit in with the surrounding buildings.”
Council officials recommended refusal and pointed out the current hotel has 30 rooms while the replacement building would double that number.
A planning report said: “While it is proposed to demolish the buildings on site, the proposed care home would be significantly larger in scale and footprint than the building currently occupying the site.”
The report, which was presented to councillors said: “The scale and footprint of the development is excessive in relation to the total area of the site and out of character with the locality.”
When the plan first emerged Parkstone owner Eric Ronald said he and partner Derek were investigating “all possible avenues” to preserve and create jobs.
Commenting on their attachment to the business, he said: “Derek’s parents were married in the hotel in the early 1970’s and we have a deep personal connection to the Parkstone..."
Mr Ronald said Covid-19 has wreaked havoc on the hospitality industry.
The planning report said the developer claimed the proposal would have economic benefits, improve health and social care and is justified by special circumstances.
