Southend seafront home owner's appeal against change to B&B

The Bay Guest House on Southend’s Eastern Esplanade stopped taking customers four years ago and the owners began using the four-bedroom B&B as a family home.

Mark Hobbs spent more than £1million purchasing and renovating the property but Southend Council refused plans for it to be used as a home because of “insufficient” evidence it was no longer feasible as a guest house.

Family home - After the transformation (Image: Mark Hobbs)

Now, Mr Hobbs has submitted an appeal with the Government’s planning inspectorate in a bid to see the change of use approved.

Thorpe independent councillor, Martin Terry, believes the protection of bed and breakfasts in the area is a “matter of principle” and that Southend needs them to facilitate its growth.

He said: “The council does have a policy around hotels and establishments for visitors when they visit the city, we have a policy to protect that side of our economy.

“It is more a matter of principle, once we have set a precedent.

“We have a small bed and breakfast quarter around there, it is a lovely setting that is very popular and now the airport is busy again, it is an exercise where we can promote Southend.”

'Unsustainable' - The Bay guest house (Image: Matk Hobbs)

Mr Terry added that he is aware a “great number of people” coming to stay in the area, who stay in similar guest houses and then spend money in the area.

“We don’t want to set a precedent. The council wouldn’t want to see anything damaging it, as the airport is back,” he said.

“The bottom line is that the policy is there for a reason and as it has gone to appeal and we have that clear policy, it will be interesting to see what the planning inspectorate recommends.”

Mr Hobbs previously told the Echo he had proven to the council that the house was financially unsustainable and even when marketed it was not a success as a guest house.