Plans to demolish an Isle of Wight hotel overlooking Sandown Bay are back on the table again.
Sandown Manor Hotel, on Yaverland Road, could be knocked down and turned into 4 houses under new plans as the business becomes increasingly unviable.
Owners Carlo and Sarah Valvona took over the hotel in 2018, after it spent years on the market, but it has struggled to stay afloat following the Covid pandemic.
Documents submitted to the Isle of Wight Council said the changing market demands and significant repair costs – which are estimated to be topping around £600,000 – are making it unsustainable to run the hotel.
In light of the challenges, multiple proposals have been designed to demolish and build on the site but plans for 6 houses were refused in 2021 and resubmitted in 2022 for 5 dwellings — 3 houses and 2 holiday bungalows.
Further changes have been made to the plans recently for 4 houses.
Proposals have the support of Sandown North’s Councillor Debbie Andre who said the hotel forms a visible part of the skyline at the Yaverland end of Sandown Bay.
She said the building had deteriorated over the years and did not enhance the area or add anything of heritage value.
Other comments previously submitted on plans said the current hotel is not nice to look at and if left, would only worsen and become an eyesore.
You can view the plans, 22/00928/FUL, on the Isle of Wight Council’s planning register. Comments can be submitted until 10th October.
They don’t look like affordable housing !!!!!
So definitely doesn’t fit that criteria …..must be a fat profit here for the owner’s……
What exactly is affordable housing, it means something different to everyone you meet and totally dependent on your means, the basic formula is a set discount against open market prices in the relevant area which still puts it out of the range of the majority of buyers on low incomes.So affordable housing is a misnomer. It never really existed it was always something local councils used as a sop to the population when allowing large developments, you must have 20 or 30 per cent affordable.What would work is to say to large developers you wish to put up 200 houses ,OK, you build 40 properties first on a separate site that can be given to the local authority or a social housing enterprise to use.
A home a 1st time islander can afford or part buy part rent .
Not a dump bought by someone who thought run it down and then knock it down and make a fat profit …..
No more homes! Turn it into a coal power plant to lower our fuel bills!
I love this idear
Surely this is a no brainer. Should be given the go ahead as it can only be an improvement to the site. Good luck. No real environmental impact to prevent it.
Such a mistake with climate warming more people will flock to the Island than overseas if only the ferry prices didn’t cost as much as a flight across the Channel. The new house build looks out of most families on a homing list financial pockets, along with those who have homes and wish to upmarket. The planning request is for the Valvona family profit margins you can see that through the number of changes to the planning application. OK if you are a millionaire.
I cannot afford a seafront property and so what . Desirable equates to costs more. Thats life, and frankly, i would rather see well consructed properties than fun down falling down eyesores. If it lifts the view of the Sandown seafront that is a great idea. Now, please ask the demolition team to stay in the town and remove the rest of the old eyesores.
But if it only pulls in 2nd ho w ow Ed’s here for high days and holidays how is that going to help Sandown regenerate?affordable housing means families who can spend money in and around Sandown all year!which is what shop owners are crying out for,tourists this year had very deep pockets and short arms when it came spending money,and nobody can blame them we are all in same boat!.
i can’t see affordable housing being built on a prime seafront location. If it improves the look of the place then great go ahead. Sandown seriously needs some investment.