Derelict St Martin’s Hotel to be demolished within weeks

Over the last 14 years there have been three planning applications approved to convert the dilapidated building into apartments, but no work has taken place.

The latest approval will allow the crumbling structure on Les Merriennes to be demolished, and permit the removal of a number of trees.

There were no public objections to the plans, which were submitted in December 2023.

George Wilkinson, the managing director of the development company which owns the derelict St Martin’s Hotel, said he was pleased to have been granted permission for the demolition.

‘We will now begin that process as quickly as possible,’ he said.

‘This is the next stage in the long process of the redevelopment of this site.’

It is hoped that work will start in the next few weeks, with a professional asbestos removal firm on site. It is understood the demolition could take some time. The building is quite large and sprawling, and has suffered from fire damage and vandalism in recent years.

There is currently no active planning applications for what could be built on the site.

Permission was granted in 2010 to convert the existing structure into 35 apartments, which was valid for three years, but work was not started.

This was followed by approved applications for conversion into 35 apartments in 2014 and 2016, but these plans were not followed through.

In the latest planning approval, Agriculture, Countryside & Land Management Services had the most to say.

It initially raised concerns about the removal of some trees and suggested an assessment of the biodiversity value of trees be submitted to planning.

‘Without an understanding of their value, it is not possible to quantify the negative impact which would be caused by their removal and would need to be mitigated,’ ACLMS said.

It also suggested a tree protection plan be prepared and a roost assessment be carried out to check for bats.

More details were subsequently submitted by the applicant.

Planning officers supported the building being removed.

‘The existing derelict buildings have a negative impact on the character and appearance of the area,’ they stated in the planning report.

Rubble from the demolition will be allowed to be stored in stacks up to 2m-high, with planners noting the site was well-screened by banks and walls.

In regards the tree removals, the planners noted it was originally proposed to selectively remove 17 individual trees and one group of trees.

Following discussions during the process, two of those trees will now be kept and there will be tree protection fencing, and four areas of tree planting.

The planners asked that a construction environmental management plan be submitted prior to the start of works to help manage noise, dust and disturbance.

‘Due to the scale of the demolition works and the proposal to crush rubble on site, there is the potential for the demolition phase of the works to have some adverse effects on the amenities of neighbouring residents,’ they said.

‘A degree of disturbance is an inevitable, but temporary consequence of most building operations.’