Our stunning seaside town is being ruined by a newbuild block – it’ll stick out like a sore thumb
LOCALS fear a new build development could spoil a stunning sea-side town.
Ramsgate, Kent, is renowned for its waterfront , warm weather and continental feel.
But now there are concerns the redevelopment of an old pub could “stick out like a sore thumb.” Plans to partially demolish and convert The Royal on Harbour Parade into new homes and offices have been approved by Thanet District Council (TDC).
But local fears the plans are too modern and not sympathetic to the town’s traditional architecture. The site is opposite the town’s famous harbour.
Councillor Tricia Austin recently told a planning committee that while she supported the development of a brownfield site in the town, the design was a concern, reports Kent Online.
She said: “I believe, many residents believe, and many Ramsgate town councillors believe, this proposal is still too large and obtrusive.
“It is not in keeping and we are very concerned that it will have a very damaging effect on the seafront of the only royal harbour in the country.”
She said the designs should be sent back to the drawing board to be reduced in height by one floor.
Cllr Rebecca Wing described the new scheme as “hideous.” She said: I agree that the royal building is not a particularly great-looking building presently.
“I just find that modern in-fill hideous, I have to say. “It’s going to stick out like a sore thumb on that seafront.”
The application received some support from councillors.
Council officers recommended the scheme for approval. The lead planning council officer told the meeting: “We do think that there is an appropriate balance struck here between the design, the conservation area and the listed building and the provision of eight units in a highly sustainable brownfield site.”
Cllr Pat Makinson (Lab) said: “I find the Royal building very lumpish, not terribly attractive.
“I think it’s quite right that they use entirely different materials as they do in places like Italy where they’re building up against quite a lot of old classical buildings.”
Philip Thorley, the director of the Thanet chain, says it will continue to run the pub until its new owners push forward with the development.
He said:“We opened up the Royal in 1995 and we’ve had nearly 30 years of very successful trading there.
“We just decided it was time for us to look at ventures new, and we’ve been investing a lot of money within our existing estate.
“Now somebody else is going to breathe new life into it and I think it’s a great opportunity for Ramsgate seafront.
“The planning last night is just the next chapter in the book of the Royal going forward, and we wish the new owners the best of luck with it.”