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.”
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