The Isle of Thanet News has reported that controversial plans to build a 124 bed hotel on Margate seafront have been approved by Thanet council notwithstanding planning officer’s recommendations for refusal.
The Isle of Thanet News writes:
The six storey hotel will also contain a gymnasium, meeting rooms, a shop or café with frontage onto Marine Terrace, a restaurant and bar at the ground floor and a rooftop bar. Plans were brought forward by Margate Estates, the parent company for Dreamland, and recommended for refusal by planning officers who argued the design compromised views of the Grade II* listed cinema building and were at odds with the town’s Seafront Conservation Area aesthetic.
Under the proposals Ziggy’s rooftop bar and an adjoining empty building will be flattened…
But councillors voted unanimously against the recommendation arguing the economic benefits to Margate and Thanet were too important and that the unlisted buildings were not of historical significance. Councillor Iris Johnston said: ‘We need more hotel beds in this town and need them throughout Thanet. It’s a bland looking building (hotel plans) but in keeping with 1824 façade that I fought to preserve.’
Aidan de Brunner, Dreamland, says the development would be a ‘catalyst’ for regeneration. He told the packed chamber: ‘We have tried to be sympathetic…when I look at the CGI what you can’t get away from is the overbearing presence of Arlington House…’
Liam Nabb, speaking on behalf of Margate Conservation Area Group, argued the plans could be much improved and that a better proposal could be put forward… Mr Nabb argued there was no evidence support the size of the development following a series of proposals for larger hotels passed but then not developed leaving eyesores such as Hoser’s Corner. He also suggested refurbishing Nayland Rock would be a better solution.
Historic England opposed the plans saying they were concerned by the loss of two unlisted buildings ‘which make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the conservation area and by the scale of the development which does not respect the prevailing height of historic terracing it echoes and harms an appreciation of the prominence of the cinema and its frontage buildings’.
Margate Estates says the project is expected to create 62 jobs within the hotel; 103 direct construction jobs over three years and 52 indirect construction jobs across the region over three years…
Councillors defy officer recommendation and approve Dreamland hotel
