'Deteriorating' hotel to be replaced with homes

Sandown Manor Hotel owners said: "they struggle to keep the hotel afloat"

A hotel overlooking the sea that has been “deteriorating for years” is to be knocked down to make way for houses.

Isle of Wight Council has granted permission for the Sandown Manor Hotel, on Yaverland Road, to be demolished and four houses built in its place.

Owners Carlo and Sarah Valvona said they struggled to keep the hotel afloat following Covid and have significant repair costs, estimated to be topping £600,000.

Sandown North councillor Debbie Andre said the hotel “did not enhance the area or add anything of heritage value".

Drawing of the proposed properties are now available for the public to view

The planning authority recognised a lack of profit which means the business cannot support investment in the hotel building and is not currently providing a “high-quality tourism offer nor likely to do so in the future given its poor condition.”

Officers said in their decision report, there would be minimal negative impact on the Island’s tourism economy, but there is a positive benefit of providing housing.

The proposal has been supported by Sandown North’s councillor Debbie Andre who said: “The building had deteriorated over the years and did not enhance the area or add anything of heritage value.”

Planning has been approved for four houses to be built in place of the hotel

The approval has been granted subject to 14 conditions.

This includes work starting within three years, parking spaces being in place before the houses can be lived in and construction of three houses cannot begin until the vehicle access has been widened.

In 2021 the authority refused plans to build six houses on the site.