CHEERS and applause greeted the decision by district councillors to quash plans to turn the Bay Hotel at Lyme Regis into luxury flats.

More than 70 Lyme Regis residents packed into the development control west committee meeting at Bridport Leisure centre to witness the decision, standing and clapping as the council went against the recommendation of its own planning officers.

Councillors cited the loss of community facilities and employment and the need to protect the conservation area as reasons to refuse. Hotel owner Larry Gibbons wanted to turn the hotel into nine flats with a steam room/sauna and build a three-storey extension with dormer windows.

Recommending refusal, Coun Roger Stoodley said: "The loss of community facilities is too overpowering."

Seconding him, Coun Ron Coatesworth said: "Take a walk along the front at Seaton and see how lively it is there."

The campaign to oppose the plans was led by arts administrator Franny Owen.

She said: "I'm absolutely euphoric. It feels so good to be part of a community that has managed to stand up and save one of its most precious assets.

"Thank you to all the Lyme Regis residents who supported us."

Chloe Emmerson, who lives next door to the hotel at The Sundial, said: "It is fantastic to know that the elected representatives are taking the concerns of the community so seriously."

Seven objectors spoke at the meeting including Bridport's town council leader Charles Wild.

Coun Wild said Lyme faced many of the problems faced by Bridport as both towns relied on their distinctive character and diversity to attract visitors. He said: "Conversion of such hotels is irreversible, once visitors wake up to the fact that our towns have been drained of any character."

Marcus Dixon of the Lyme Regis Development Trust said Lyme needed to maintain its hotel infrastructure if it was going to capitalise on its unique location on the World Heritage coast.

Asked if he would appeal against the decision, hotel owner Larry Gibbons said he had no comment.