Sidmouth: urgent repairs needed at historic Sidholme Hotel

Sidmouth's historic Sidholme Hotel has been damaged by rain and sea spray, making urgent repair work necessary.

A planning application was been submitted to East Devon District Council for 'emergency work' on the walls, windows and especially roofs of the main, Grade II listed building, to stop more water getting in and causing further damage. Further work is needed to repair or replace water-damaged areas of ceilings, walls and floors.

A separate application asks for permission to convert an annexe building on the site, currently containing individual hotel rooms, into six self-catering accommodation units.

Who owns the Sidholme Hotel?

Until last year the hotel was owned and run by Methodist Guild Holidays Ltd, but because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the increasing costs of maintenance and repair it was put up for sale, and purchased by ARSH Holdings Ltd earlier this year.

This followed an unsuccessful local campaign to buy the hotel and secure the use of its music room for concerts, while turning the rest of the site into a hub for the arts: read more here.

The new owners plan to restore the hotel and its outbuildings and reopen it.

But in the meantime, they need to carry out immediate work to repair what the applicant describes as 'noticeable' damage to the exterior of the main building, and its historic internal structure.

The work will include repairing or replacing sections of the roof, some windows and some timber joinery, along with water-damaged ceilings, walls and floors.

The other application is for internal work only in the annexe and will not affect the character of the building, which is not listed.

The applications went before Sidmouth Town Council's Planning working group a few days ago. They supported the annexe conversion, and also supported the repair work, subject to the views of the district council's conservation officer. The final decision will be made by East Devon District Council.