Built in 1937 to mark the coronation of King George VI, the Coronation Boathouse was listed on the 13th August 2021. In doing so Historic England made the point:

As a modest but well-built structure, the thatched stone store building is an evocative and well-preserved example of the buildings that once were commonplace across the coastal landing places of Devon and Cornwall but have been prone to loss and conversion to other uses. The retention of its modest character and fabric and features such as the wall niches in the walls is increasingly rare, alterations to the buildings are minor in terms of historic fabric and largely comprise like-for-like repairs.

Yet now the Bantham Estate wish to make major changes to the interior, proposing to convert the first floor of the boat house into holiday let accommodation, configured as three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a kitchen/dining/living space. Were this to happen both the character of the building and its internal fabric and appearance would be irreparably altered.

The National Planning Policy Framework stresses that:

In determining applications, local planning authorities should take account of:
a) the desirability of sustaining and enhancing the significance of heritage assets and putting them to viable uses consistent with their conservation;

As our objection makes clear, were this application to be approved, the change from the historical maritime boathouse use to a holiday let will inevitably lead to harm to a building that can ‘illustrate important aspects of the nation’s history as both are uncommon survivals regionally and nationally of structures that represent evolved maritime pursuits and traditions’.

Fortunately the Case Officer did not disagree, noting:

Officers consider the proposed development to not have been demonstrated to be the optimum viable use. It is accepted that income generation is desirable but it cannot be given weight in the planning balance to justify changes that result in avoidable harm. Nor can the reinstatement of a suitable repair regime be considered a ‘public benefit’.

As for the applicant's statement that the ground floor would continue to be used for boat storage, the Case Officer commented:

These assurances are contradicted by the recent application for, and granting of, a License for storage and distribution of wine from the boathouse.

The application was refused.