An application for alterations to the Hotel Imperial, which include an 'enabling' development of 75 dwellings comprising of houses and flats on the land between the Hotel and the Royal Military Canal, was approved by 11 votes to 2. The developers argue that the housing development is necessary to fund the works in the hotel.
The application has been in the planning process for over a year. During this time there have been several changes, including the deletion of blocks of flats that would have stood by the canal, and increases in developer contributions for affordable housing in Hythe.
Such was the public interest that the gallery was full, and proceedings from the council chamber were relayed to 2 rooms upstairs.
Speaking at the meeting Mr. J Davis, a local resident, raised concerns that planning policy LR 9 - Open Space Protection and Provision - was being breached, echoed later by Liberal Democrat Councillor Neil Matthews. Cllr Matthews also attacked some changes in the application saying "this is not the hotel they said they would build in the beginning, but there is still the rest of the development."
The financial position of GSE Group which the Campaign to Protect Hythe Imperial Lands claiming GSE Group has a zero credit rating was the target of repeated questioning.
Mr. S McGhee, local resident, spoke in support of the application, saying the silent majority supported the application and that "negative attitudes would be the ruination of the town." Mr. M Turpin, the applicant, hit back at claims that GSE Group couldn't commit to the project, "This is a low impact, high return development. GSE is fully committed to the Imperial."
Conservative Cllr Russell Tillson asked if the money for the affordable housing could be aquired early on in the project. Planning Manager Chris Lewis said that payments to the council would be phased with the development, and reminded the committee that they were voting on the application, rather than the finances of the developer.
The plans have split opinion locally. Concerns have been voiced over the effect the development will have on traffic, whether it will fit in with the area and whether it breaks certain planning regulations. English Heritage has continually objected over the impact it will have on the Royal Military Canal, and since October 2008 over 170 letters of protest have been received.
Given such a history many expected a raucous gallery, but the application discussion passed with no major incident, and the decision to approve was met with a large round of applause.
Will complete Smith's medical tomorrow - really must go to bed!
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