THE final scheme for the multi-million Three Cups hotel redevelopment in Lyme Regis has been revealed and welcomed by long-term campaigners.

The Three Cups in Broad Street has been closed for more than 20 years but used to be a hotel that once housed the likes of literary greats such as Jane Austen and JRR Tolkien.

Negotiations for the site have been ongoing for years with a campaign group even set up to fight for action – The Save the Three Cups action group – who have now welcomed the final scheme.

Building owners Palmers Brewery announced the news in a presentation at a town council strategy and policy committee meeting last week.

Palmers said it would take £5million and three years to transform the site, which will include a restaurant, letting rooms, apartments, townhouses and shops.

Palmers property agent, Nigel Jones of Chesters Commercial, said the full planning application is due to be submitted by August 1.

He added: “The final plans consider the views of people living next to the site, feedback from last year’s public consultation and town council comments.

“The result will conserve the main part of the historic Georgian building and boost Lyme’s profile as a quality resort.

“The plans include some residential apartments, which we have already had interest for.”

Three members of The Save the Three Cups action group also attended the council meeting.

Afterwards, group chairman John Dover told the Lyme Regis News: “We now feel our campaign had reached an important milestone; at long last we were hearing about deadlines.

“I previously warned that the ‘devil is in the detail’ of the plans, but the plans we saw at the meeting are moving in the right direction. Palmers have listened to the people of Lyme Regis and those concerned with the hotel’s heritage. For example, great attention will be paid to the front of the building and the staircase will be retained.

“Overall, we’re pleased and feel that the views of our action group and the townspeople have helped Palmers in their deliberations after so many years of inactivity.

“But we will continue to be vigilant as these impressive plans progress.”

If planning permission is granted at the end of the year, work could start in autumn 2015. The building phase is likely to take 18 months and Palmers aim to have the scheme open for spring in 2017.

The development is set to include:

Conservation and renovation of the historic Three Cups building fronting on to Broad Street, incorporating a shop on the ground floor.

Landmark new restaurant with 12 letting rooms in the old car park at the back of the site. Some of the rooms will have wheelchair access.

Access path through to Langmoor Gardens.

Nine residential units - some of these will be in the Three Cups building and others in a newly built section at the back.

Car parking for the apartments.