A DERELICT hotel that has recently been used as a squat could be transformed into a combination of holiday and residential flats.

Proposals have been submitted to demolish the Aaron Diplomat Hotel in Durley Chine Road and replace it with two Edwardian-style blocks of flats.

One would contain 14 residential flats and the other 12 serviced self-catering holiday flats.

The plans have already sparked two letters of support from neighbours, including one from the Durley Chine Hotel which reads: “A last something is going to be done to this eyesore.

“Let’s get the Westcliff back to a smart area.”

The hotel has been derelict for some time and was previously considered by the hotel chain Travelodge.

It has also been used as student accommodation and as a squat.

The application has been submitted by Planning Solutions, on behalf of the developer Grandscale Developments.

A spokesperson for Planning Solutions said: “The plans have been drawn up by a conservation architect, because the hotel is situated within a conservation area.

“As a result, the buildings have typical Edwardian features – decent stone, decent brickwork, bay windows, good proportions.

“The plans also look to increase the landscaping around the buildings.

“I think it’s a pretty well thought-out scheme.

“I am not surprised we have got letters of support because it looks horrendous at the moment.

“It’s almost as if the sooner it gets done, the better.”