Grand Parade Hotel developer given one year deadline

The council says it welcomes the development of the Grand Parade

The developer of a hotel destroyed in a fire five years ago has been told work to turn it into a seaside complex must start within one year.

Councillors at East Lindsey District Council approved plans to transform the Grand Parade Hotel in Skegness into a leisure centre with an ice rink.

Original designs for the £5m development were approved in 2010 but permission expired in February.

Following a second approval, owner Taj Bola agreed work will start soon.

He said his plans had been put on hold because of the recession.

Development of the four storey building, that was largely destroyed by a fire in 2007, will include three bars, one with a dance floor, a food hall, an internet cafe and a roller disco area.

'Kick-start development'

The council had previously issued a statement suggesting that if work was not carried out they would consider a compulsory purchase order, which would allow the authority to buy the site without the consent of the owner

Councillor Craig Leyland, who is responsible for economic regeneration, said: "Obviously the delays caused us some consternation so we felt we needed to issue something to kick-start the development.

"It is a major site on the seafront in Skegness and we want to see it built to a high standard.

"We are hopeful the development will now progress. If this is built, it will be a great addition to Skegness."