Hotel structure built without permission removed

The structure at Congress Hotel in Eastbourne included raised decking and pergolas

A council has removed a structure at a hotel in East Sussex that was built without planning permission.

Congress Hotel in Eastbourne were served an enforcement notice in March last year to remove the raised decking and pergolas in its front garden.

Eastbourne Borough Council said the structures were deemed to be “detrimental” to the surrounding conservation area due to their “size, form and poor design”.

Councillor Colin Swansborough said those that breach planning rules “do so at their own peril and cost”.

The owner of the hotel applied for retrospective planning permission, which was declined.

In January, an appeal was dismissed by a planning inspector, who said the structure was “totally out of keeping with the host property and its setting, and has a degrading and harmful impact on the character and appearance of the area”.

The council enforcement notice, which had been put on hold awaiting the outcome of the appeal, became active again, but the hotel owner refused to fully comply, the council says.

As a result, the council's planning enforcement team has removed the structures and decking, and a charge will be put on the land for the cost of this work.

Mr Swansborough said: "Planning rules are in place for good reason, particularly in conservation areas where it is important that we protect the historic character and appearance of buildings and streets.

"Those that contravene planning rules and ignore enforcement notices, as in this case, do so at their own peril and cost, as we will take direct action to carry them out ourselves when necessary."