Plans to develop empty Kings Road hotel

On the corner of Little East Street stands the Grade II listed Dr. Brighton's and next door is the boarded-up Charter Hotel which occupied nos.12-15A Kings Road.  It is quite an eyesore and there are now proposals to convert it into; 14 serviced apartments catering for corporate guests, a ground floor bar and restaurant, and a basement bar/nightclub.

The proposals retain the present front elevations apart from the addition of an extra storey. This entails another row of windows contained within a mansard roof as shown in the drawing below. The effect on the roofscape will not be negligible and the drawing is misleading in that, assuming the chimneys are to be retained unaltered, it has exaggerated their heights. Mansards have been added to many period properties around the city with varying degrees of aesthetic success. This proposal is perhaps borderline acceptable, but the planning committee should insist on accurate drawings.

A planning decision is expected by June 7th.

Planning Application; BH2011/00804.
Argus report