Listed Bury hotel could become five new homes

The Regency House Hotel is the subject of a planning application that could lead to the conversion of the listed building in Looms Lane.

Earlier plans to add a new building as well appear to have been scrapped after advice from St Edmundsbury Borough Council.

Instead, the main building will be converted into four homes with the former stables at the rear of the building now becoming a separate dwelling.

The original house was converted into a hotel in 1976, after being made a Grade-II-listed building in 1972. At that point it was known as The Acacias.

Owner Hugh Wagstaff has submitted the plans, which say: “The current use is no longer considered viable as a hotel meeting modern requirements and the proposal seeks to return the building to its original residential use.”

Since its construction in 1811, it has also been a doctors’ surgery and a country club.

The existing building would not be greatly altered externally, according to the proposal, with the plan describing most of the alterations as being internal changes and only “two modest extensions” proposed.

Car parking is planned to be provided at the front of the building.

According to a heritage statement submitted by Mr Wagstaff, the conversion can be achieved with “limited harm” to the listed building.

“Any harm caused by the conversion is less than substantial,” said the heritage statement. “The public benefits which accrue from the proposal include the continued survival of the building with an appropriate optimum viable use, which will help the borough meet its future housing targets.”

According to its website, guest rooms at the hotel range currently from £64 per night for a single room and from £99 per night for a large double or twin room.

It is described as being within a minute’s walk of the town centre.

The East Anglian Daily Times did contact the hotel yesterday but Mr Wagstaff was unavailable to comment.

To view the plans, search for application number DC/16/0380/FUL