Plans to redevelop the dilapidated Hook and Parrot pub on Seaton seafront have been approved by East Devon District Council (EDDC), with developers saying they believe it will help to "unlock Seaton's potential".

The plans will see the dilapidated pub demolished and replaced with a new restaurant and bar with apartments above.

An initial application was submitted in April 2021 by Lyme Regis architectural firm Porter Haworth on behalf of W&L South Coast Investments Ltd, who purchased the property from Trust Inns in 2020.

The application confirmed that the new bar and restaurant would be leased to the owners of existing popular restaurants SWIM, in Lyme Regis, and Rise, in West Bay, who would develop the interior of the commercial unit.

Initial plans raised some concerns with residents, particularly with regards to the height of the new building.

The application was first considered by EDDC in August 2021 when it was agreed to defer determination of the application to allow the applicant to rectify issues with the site location plan and to address other issues relating to scale, design, materials and impact on the conservation area and impact on residential amenity.

New drawings – showing a reduction in the height and width, changes to external materials and removal of balcony enclosures – largely won the support of the community, with many keen to see the prominent site redeveloped, and these were considered by EDDC's Planning Committee this week.

While the planning officer agreed that the revised plans had "public benefits that would weigh in favour of support", but they reported that the Environment Agency had now raised concerns about the development being in an area of flood risk.

The agency had not raised any issues with the initial plans, but it had since advised that the plans should be subject to the sequential test, which aims to steer new development to areas at the lowest risk of flooding.

In applying the sequential test it is necessary to consider whether the development proposed could be delivered on an alternative and reasonably available site of lower flood risk.

The planning officer's report said that the applicant had disagreed with the need to apply the sequential test, and that there were no other sites that could deliver the development, as only this site would deliver the demolition of the existing building and redevelopment of this brownfield site.

The planning officer commented: "Whilst there are acknowledged benefits to the revised scheme which represent an improvement on the original proposal, these do not outweigh the harm that would arise from allowing redevelopment and residential intensification in the use of a site within a high risk flood zone and where it has not been demonstrated that such development could not be delivered on any site of lower flood risk.

"The application is therefore recommended for refusal on the basis of its location in the flood zone and failure to pass the sequential test."

However, despite the planning officer's recommendation, the Planning Committee approved the plans unanimously.

A statement from developers W&L South Coast Investments Ltd said: "The revisions were made after considering comments by neighbours, local residents and the planning team at EDDC.

"Our designer, local architectural technology practice Porter Haworth, has worked hard to reduce the height and width of the building without losing the restaurant, or any of the nine flats included in the original scheme. The finish for the façade was also reconsidered, and will now be a light coloured, high-quality glazed brick.

"We are very grateful to all the local residents that have supported our vision for the site. The huge efforts of Seaton's ward members, Marcus Hartnell, Jack Rowland, and Dan Ledger have been instrumental in getting this project across the line.

"Seaton is a great location, but it needs, and deserves, quality investment to unlock more of its potential, particularly after the last two years. We hope our success will encourage others to take a closer look at what the town has to offer."