Part of a closed hotel in the seaside town of Sandown will house 4 new flats, it has been decided.
County Hall has accepted a proposal from Isle of Wight Hotels Ltd – led by Nick Spyker – for a conversion of the north wing of Culver Parade’s Sandown Hotel into 4x 3-bedroom apartments.
The former 3-star hotel has been closed due to a ‘lack of demand for hotel accommodation over the last few years’, according to a statement written by Martin J. Hayles.
It says:
“This scheme is to retain a reduced size hotel on Culver Parade which would be offered on a room only basis with an option of continental breakfast, reducing the need for kitchen facilities and only requiring minimal staffing levels.
“The north wing onto Avenue Road would be converted into four apartments, one per floor level. There would be very little alterations externally to the north wing as indicated on the Sketch Design elevational drawings.
“Proposals will both respect and improve/enhance a corner property located within Sandown Conservation Area.”
Explaining the consent, council planners said:
“Officers consider that despite the lack of marketing and limited information on viability, the proposed investment into the conversion and associated works of the rear part of the building to form four residential flats, as well as the retention of the main seaward facing hotel rooms for the tourism market, would result in a viable solution to what is currently an unused and deteriorating site.”
Community group Together for Sandown supported the application:
“The Together for Sandown Group welcomes any development that positively contributes to the town’s economy, infrastructure, and community, but retains heritage where possible.
“However, given the applicant’s history of property neglect (e.g. Savoy Court, Kings House (Wave) Bar, The Grand Hotel and others elsewhere across the Island), we urge the Isle of Wight planning officers to apply strict conditions, ensure financial contributions, Section 106, and enforce Section 215 notices if, where and when possible, to protect the town’s character and residents, local businesses and visitors’ interests.”
Officers attached 6 conditions to the approval in the interests of legal and planning policy compliance, the Sandown Conservation Area, highway safety, neighbouring amenity and suitable drainage.
Lack of demand is more than likely due to
Sandown looking like a sh@thole.
Drove past Sandown this evening and there were
5 or 6 drunks opposite the Oyo Hotel giving
police unnesseccary hassle.
They need banging up.
Keep driving then .
Wow – IOW Council have said Yes to something that could actually help Sandown – have they got a new team?
There is a lot more to do. I doubt they have a
new team, if so they would sort out the old
Tourist information centre and STOP all the
vehicles parking illegally on the pavement outside
the office to evade paying parking fees.
Everyone else as to pay to park along the seafront.
IW are not only clueless, they are useless.
Sandown was once a great place, they should have
never closed the old boating lake.
Don’t hold your breath, let’s see if the planning gets acted upon.
It will take more than 4 flats to spruce up
Shabby Sandown.