A once-popular Sandown hotel could be facing the wrecking ball once again, as plans to turn it back into housing are put forward.
The Cygnet Hotel on Carter Street has been closed for a number of years and is slowly slipping into a state of disrepair.
2019 plans withdrawn
Plans were first tabled in 2019 to demolish the hotel and turn it into 12 residential properties and the owners, at the time, said the building needed to be demolished as it was ‘not very nice-looking’.
Those plans were later withdrawn.
Replace with housing
Now, three years later, the demolition of the hotel is proposed again, this time with six three-bed semi-detached housing and a block of five two-bed flats.
The building has continued to deteriorate suffering serious water damage from leaks in both the roof and internal plumbing and a large part of the accommodation offer has been closed off.
Repair costs prohibitive
It is now no longer fit for occupation and the cost of fixing it is said to be prohibited.
The hotel, on Carter Street, has been shut since 2017 but has been put up for sale since, but with no luck.
‘Demolition the way forward’
Planning documents, submitted by agent Norman White, says the building does not lend itself to conversion due to its make-up and poor state so demolition would be the way forward.
The plans have, however, been criticised by objectors so far with one saying the building should be maintained and retained, in line with the council’s new Biosphere aspirations, instead of letting it be neglected and demolished.
Allowed to fall into disrepair
Another commenter said they thought everyone would like to see an improvement to the ‘near slum’ conditions of the hotel.
They said it was another example of a property owner letting the building fall into such a state of disrepair in the town, but their main concern though is that is is a lot of development in a small space, with ‘minuscule back gardens’ and ‘less than adequate’ parking proposed.
Objection from Island Roads
Island Roads has also said the application should be refused due to insufficient parking provisions with a minimum of 17 vehicle and 17 bicycle parking spaces required in council guidelines for a development of this size but only 13 vehicle spaces are proposed.
View the plans
You can view the plans, 22/00369/FUL, on the council’s planning register.
The public consultation runs until 27th May.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
Image: © Google Maps/Streetview
