Neighbours ready for work to start at hotel
Neighbours of the derelict former St Martin’s Hotel are hopeful that progress might finally be made in redeveloping the abandoned hotel site.
A planning application has been submitted to demolish all the hotel and outbuildings, while trees close to the buildings would also be removed.
A development framework, detailing how the site could be used for housing, is set to be signed off imminently, clearing the way for a full planning application to develop the site.
Kate Lee, who has lived on the nearby Rue de L’Eglise for the last 15 years, said it was about time something was done on the site.
‘I remember going to the old hotel for wedding dances,’ she said.
‘I think it should be used for housing, as the island needs it. It’s a shame that it’s been left for so long and I hope something happens soon. The only downside would be the increase in traffic.’
Sue and Richard Brooks, who have also lived along Rue de L’Eglise for 15 years, both agreed that building affordable housing on the site would be a good idea.
‘I think flats for over-55s would be a good idea as that would free up houses for other people, plus the site is beautiful at the back,’ Mrs Brooks said.
‘It’s never bothered me that it’s derelict, but I think there are a lot of rats in and around it.’
Mr Brooks said that it would be nice if something was done on the site after years of left to go to ruin.
‘Demolition will mean that there is a clean sheet to start on whatever they choose to do, and in the last couple of weeks I’ve seen asbestos warning signs be put up, so clearly something is happening.’
John and Rhianna Clancy have lived near the site for four years, and both of them acknowledged the need for more affordable housing.
‘It’s a shame the site is going to waste, if it can be put to good use through the building of apartments then that will only help the community as it’s a big area and a prime location,’ Mrs Clancy said.
‘More housing would mean more traffic and that would always be an issue, but I think the need for housing trumps traffic problems at the moment.’
