Fresh bid to build homes on Royal Norfolk land

A fresh bid is being made to build homes on the site of the most historic hotel in Bognor Regis.

The latest attempt to develop the land around the Royal Norfolk Hotel involves a mews development. This consists of 12 one and two bedroom houses to replace derelict stores and living accommodation at the back of the hotel.

Herongate Land and Developments Ltd has asked Arun District Council for planning permission for the scheme.

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A neighbour of the hotel, b and b operator Wendy Elsden, said she welcomed the redevelopment of the hotel's rear grounds. 'I will be happy that is going to happen because the area is really rundown,' she stated. But I am not happy with the proposed access to the houses. It comes out on to West Street right next door to the access which serves my house and my neighbours.

'It could be dangerous if there are two vehicles coming out of both accesses at the same time.'

The neighbouring access serves the occupiers of six houses and about ten cars. A statement by Herongate with the planning application states the hotel's current access road from West Street will need to be improved to meet highway standards to improve drivers' visibility.

The latest proposals to put housing on the land around the hotel are the third attempt in the past two years. But the previous two, from Otona Properties, involved 22 and 19 properties. Some were to the hotel's western side as well as to the rear.

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Both schemes were rejected by councillors and government planning inspectors because of the impact of the proposed housing on the historic view of the hotel, a Grade II listed building. The entire site is also within a conservation area. Herongate says the housing will improve the appearance of the area behind the hotel and be a good use of urban land.

'We feel very strongly that the character of any new build needs to both respect the existing southern block and the hotel and, at the same time, compliment the various cottages along the northern boundary.

'The type of dwelling and layout has been specifically designed for the site, to minimise its impact on adjoining residential properties and maintain the character of the area,' it says.

'The land currently houses a group of buildings in a very poor condition. The southern block, closest to the rear of the hotel, is now a delapidated accommodation block, previously used by the hotel.