If the plans are successful, Caribbean Vibz, formerly Nelson’s Eye – along with Drifters and Maison Chaussey Guesthouse are also all likely to disappear.
It is the third time an application has been submitted for the site, with developers being refused permission last year and making the decision to withdraw their application in 2017 – after receiving planning advice.
Plans previously included building 20 apartments but these have now been reduced to 17.
Among some of the issues highlighted in the 2017 proposals were the ‘cramped’ parking arrangements and potential noise from a planned gym.
The following year, in order to deal with concerns, balconies were removed from the third floor apartments on the eastern side, the gym was replaced with a café and al fresco area and some balcony glazing was made opaque to maintain privacy for nearby residents.
And now – during the third attempt to pass the plans – the overall height of the building has been reduced. The plans are for a five-storey building.
Balconies on the north-eastern corner of the building have also been removed due to privacy concerns from the adjacent Marina Metro Hotel and the same side of the structure has been ‘cut back’ to maintain natural light in the area and minimise any overbearing impact.
According to documents within the planning application, historic figures, such as Fritz Delius, a composer, TE Lawrence – most commonly known as Lawrence of Arabia –, Carl Marx and Friedrich Engels were all known to reside in the area.
It added that images of the famous residents could feature within a Percentage for Art piece on the site.
