AN INNOVATIVE project designed to rejuvenate an iconic landmark in Minehead is one step closer to reality after receiving a £323,000 windfall.

YMCA Somerset Coast announced its plans to buy the Beach Hotel in The Avenue in June after receiving a £1.063 million grant through the Empty Homes funding programme.

Members of West Somerset Council agreed at yesterday’s full council meeting that the scheme should get the money, made available through Section 106 planning obligation from McCarthy & Stone’s development of Beechfield House in The Parks.

The extra cash will allow the charity to buy the building – which closed as a hotel last autumn – and fund the initial phase of works, focused on developing 36 units of affordable housing for young people, including backpackers and students.

Martin Hodgson, chief executive of the YMCA Somerset Coast, said: “It is the perfect opportunity for that money to stay in Minehead – we are keen for West Somerset traders to carry out conversion works.”

Following a month of consultation with organisations such as the Minehead Development Trust, Minehead Vision Group and the Chamber of Commerce, as well as neighbours, a planning application for change of use has been submitted to West Somerset Council today.

Should the first stage get the go-ahead, work will start immediately, with a view to opening some elements in November.

It is hoped funding can be secured in the New Year for the rest of the project, which includes plans to provide 14 hotel rooms, to reopen the restaurant, to turn certain parts into community facilities and to offer training and apprenticeships.

If everything goes to plan, the revitalised hotel could be completely up and running by March 2014.

Mr Hodgson added: “We have received a considerable amount of support – I have been genuinely taken aback by the enthusiasm shown by the people of Minehead to get this project off the ground. There have obviously been concerns too but most of those have been allayed through the consultation.

“We have reaffirmed that the hotel will remain, that the restaurant will be open to the public and that apprenticeships will be on offer to young people and others in the area – we want to create new opportunities for people.

“It will not only provide for the existing tourism industry but attract new people to the area, while remaining available for people who live in Minehead.”

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