THE hotel sector in Sedgemoor has been thrown a lifeline, it is claimed.

Marcus Plaw, associate director of planning with real estate company Colliers International, said the Government’s decision to relax planning controls in a number of building sectors could bring struggling hoteliers a spark of hope.

He said: “By relaxing planning controls the Government has made it easier for hoteliers to convert to a state-funded school, academy or registered nursery.”