Hotel destroyed in fire could be replaced by flats

A seafront hotel in East Sussex which burned down six years ago could be replaced by a block of 65 residential apartments.

The Claremont in Eastbourne was destroyed by a fire in November 2019 and torn down the following year after its structural damage worsened during a storm.

Eastbourne Borough Council said the site's owner had put together a proposal to redevelop and "breathe new life" into the site.

Local residents have been invited to view the full proposals and give feedback at an event at The Towner in Eastbourne on Thursday.

The council said: "The plans, which include 65 new apartments, aim to breathe new life into the site while respecting the character and heritage of the surrounding area.

"Developers are now proposing a modern, energy-efficient residential scheme that will meet local housing needs and enhance the visual appeal of the area."

Proposals for names of the new development include The Claremont, Devonshire House or Pier View.

The developer said it hopes to submit a planning application in November and the first residents could arrive in 2028.

Duane Cantrell, who lives in Eastbourne, said the proposal "allows people to have a place to live" and "brings up the neighbourhood".

"They should keep the old traditional buildings still amongst all the new modern architecture," he added.

Lynn Knight, from Seaford, said the proposal "would be okay as long as the facade looks in keeping".

The current state of the site is a "real eyesore", she said.

According to a website setting out the proposal on behalf of Oasis Developers, redeveloping the site would "remove the eyesore and reinstate a building that once defined the town's tourism identity".

The developer said "affordable housing is not viable on this project" due to the "complex and costly process" of restoring the facade.

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