The former Kings House bar in Sandown could now be transformed into a 4-bedroom house, under plans filed by local hotel owner Nick Spyker.
Once a popular public house, the seafront property – which adjoins the Ocean Hotel – is now derelict and in need of significant investment, much like a number of the surrounding properties.
It was 2 years ago that the building was bought at auction for £350,000 after a bidding war. It went for more than £100,000 over its guide price.
A return to commercial use seems unlikely as Isle of Wight Hotels Ltd has applied for planning permission to turn the boarded-up up into a 3-storey home with a garden looking onto the Esplanade.
A Planning and Heritage Statement prepared by the applicant’s agent, Martin J Hayles, states:
“The property was originally constructed as a dwelling, prior to being converted into commercial at ground floor level with residential being retained at first floor level and part lower ground floor level.
“Overall, the building is in a poor state of repair, particularly at lower ground floor level with no floors and standing water due to water penetrating through existing defective retaining walls.
“Many lorry loads of debris/rubbish have been removed from both inside the building and externally from open areas. The building is now boarded up and the site made secure.”
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Proposed landscaping at the rear of the property would replace a ‘current dead space’ with ‘vibrant colour and life’.
The news comes just weeks after Nick Spyker submitted a planning application to turn part of Sandown Hotel – at the other end of the High Street – into 4 flats.
The council’s public consultation on 25/00692/FUL ends on 27th June and a decision is expected on 17th July.
Anything is better than the sh*thole it currently
is.
It use to be a booming business. I don’t know
why it ever closed down.