A FORMER hotel on Bournemouth’s East Cliff can continue to be used lawfully as an HMO, the council has agreed.

The borough says records of a property named Bourne Dene on the site at 12 Manor Road go back as far as 1936, and there are records of a Bourne Dene Hotel since 1959, which was later renamed the Acacia Gardens Hotel.

A report by planning officer Paul John states: “Records indicate that enquiries made in June 2007 following a complaint regarding the occupation of the hotel confirmed that the premises had been repossessed and was occupied by one person in a caretaking role.

“The property changed hands in February 2008 (to current ownership) and rooms were being let for the purpose of multiple occupancy around March 2008.

“The property was fully inspected by myself and HMO Licensing later that month and again on December 12, 2013.”

Applicants Maximillian De Kment, Pamela Shand and Robin Syrett were refused permission last year as they could not demonstrate the building had been in HMO use for at least 10 years.

Continuation of HMO use has now been granted via a certificate of lawful use.

The building is currently on the market with Saxe Coburg for £895,000.