Agenda item

Specialist Advisor (Conservation) to report on applications.

Chris Connelley, Specialist Advisor, Conservation, gave a presentation about the one application on the agenda, application, and the Group considered the application:

New Wilmington Hotel, 25-27 Compton Street, Eastbourne Street, Eastbourne (Town Centre and Seafront conservation area) - Ref: 230269 (Planning Permission - PP)

Proposal: Extension to the existing hotel to provide a fourth storey with 11 additional rooms and use of flat roof as a rooftop garden and restaurant area.

CAG Comment:  The Group agreed that the proposal did not preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area and invited significant revision.

The Group felt that this application lacked detail and was insensitive to the host conservation area.  Whilst the proposal for the additional floor offering accommodation was broadly welcomed, the appropriateness and size of the roof garden was questioned. The loss of chimneys was deplored, and the lack of any environmental augmentation, and poor quality of the Heritage Statement, were also noted.

CAG asked the Specialist Advisor, Conservation to provide feedback to the agent on detailed points raised during the discussion.