Watermouth Road, Ilfracombe, Devon, EX34

THE PROPERTY
The property has been used in the past for a variety of purposes including a guest house, restaurant, tea room and in more recent years has been used as a large freehold freehouse/restaurant and a private home. The building is now vacant and is in need of some modernisation and renovation works.

Planning permission was granted on 5th December 2023 for the conversion and change of use of the bar and restaurant to form two individual residential apartments thus giving the property plenty of scope for significant redevelopment. The consented planning provides for two large 2 bedroom maisonettes each with their own areas of garden/outside space. There is also potential to obtain consent for the property to become one large single residential dwelling as well if desired but this would require a fresh application to the Local Authority.

At present, the building is arranged with accommodation over three floors. The ground floor is the commercial space and comprises what was a 24 seater restaurant area with a large through bar, with public toilets, a commercial kitchen and freezer room. The private accommodation is located on the upper floors. On the first floor there are three bedrooms (two with en-suite facilities, one with a dressing room), a guest bathroom and to the rear there is a 20ft lounge and a private kitchen. On the top floor level there is a further bedroom/games room with sea views. In total, there is approximately 319m2 (3,434ft2), of floor area within the property. (Floor area taken from the EPC).

In all, the property occupies a large plot of approximately 0.19 acres with amenity spaces immediately adjacent to the building in the form of courtyards, patios and a couple of balconies at the rear. There is a very large albeit steep and overgrown rear garden which extends away from the property and up over the side of the hill. Furthermore, there is a store shed and useful additional detached single storey office building come store with a wc to the rear as well.

LOCATION
Fronting the main Eastern approach road into the resort of Ilfracombe within the popular hamlet of Hele, the subject premises are in a prime position for passing trade. The property is within a short distance of the picturesque Hele Cove and beach, large public car park and un-restricted parking on the main roadside. The town of Ilfracombe is approximately 1 ½ miles away and offers a host of tourist facilities including beaches, tennis courts, gift shops and of course the harbour. Ilfracombe has undergone much inward investment in recent years including a Wetherspoon’s Public House, a Tesco’s, a Lidl’s and Co-Op supermarkets. The world renowned artist Damien Hirst has given on loan to the town a statue called ‘Verity’ which is located on the pier which has attracted thousands of day visitors to the resort. There are schools for all ages, a Medical Centre and Hospital and the usual facilities you would expect to find in a good-sized town.
Applicants are advised to proceed from out offices in an easterly direction along the High Street heading out of town sign posted Combe Martin. Continue on into Portland Street and follow the road passing Lantern Court (McCarthy & Stone) and through the traffic lights. Continue along the road passing the Thatched Inn and continue over the brow of the hill and down in to Hele Bay. 26 Watermouth Road will be found at the bottom of the hill on the left-hand side, immediately opposite the Service Station.