Residents of Hope Cove, a seaside village in Devon, have expressed concerns over plans to transform a longstanding family-run hotel into a luxury resort, fearing the changes could alter the character of their community and drive up property prices.
The Cottage Hotel, a 45-bedroom establishment overlooking Bigbury Bay and with direct beach access, was owned and operated by the Ireland family for nearly 50 years before being sold recently to the UK branch of international hotel operator Beach Barefoot Hospitality. The sale price was not disclosed, although the property had been listed at approximately £8 million. The site currently features amenities such as a bistro, an ice cream parlour, and an art studio.
Beach Barefoot Hospitality has announced intentions to reposition the hotel as a "waterfront luxury venue," aiming to attract guests seeking an upscale, resort-style experience. In a statement, the company said it was "excited to have purchased this well-known hotel on such a glorious coastal vantage point" and planned to provide "exceptional service" in its new iteration.
However, some local residents worry the development could follow the pattern seen in nearby Salcombe, located about five miles away, which has undergone significant gentrification in recent decades. Salcombe’s transformation into a popular destination for affluent second-home owners has contributed to soaring property prices, with the average house price reaching £1,244,000 in 2022 according to Halifax data. The town has earned the nickname "Chelsea-on-Sea" due to its appeal to wealthy city dwellers and the conversion of hotels into apartments, which some say impacted the community’s traditional seaside charm.
Dave Clarke, a resident who worked in Salcombe during the late 1960s and early 1970s, cautioned that similar patterns could unfold in Hope Cove. “The face of Salcombe changed completely when all the main hotels became apartments. It turned it into the expensive playground of the rich,” he said. Clarke called on the new owners for transparency regarding their development plans, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the village’s character.
Other locals, such as shop owner Zofia Wisniewska, who has lived in Hope Cove for nearly two decades, voiced concerns that large-scale developments would compromise the area’s natural beauty and accessibility. “People here don’t like changes; they like to keep the old coastal path the way it is, and they want to protect it,” Wisniewska said. She added that while the village already attracts numerous visitors in summer, residents are wary of pricing out regular visitors and losing the traditional, close-knit atmosphere they value.
The Ireland family’s decision to sell the hotel marks the end of an era for a property that had been integral to the local community since 1973. As Beach Barefoot Hospitality prepares to introduce its luxury concept, the debate over balancing development with preserving Hope Cove’s character is likely to continue.