Two previous applications had been withdrawn and despite nearby businesses raising a number of concerns about the revised plans, they were given the go-ahead.
The application received 23 letters of objection from various parties, including three from the Marina Metro Hotel. Its owner, Giancarlo Mattioli, yesterday told the Planning Committee the development would have a significant impact on their business and that they would be forced to close for the two-year construction period.
And Mark Mattioli, director and son of Giancarlo, said the developers had not done enough to allay their concerns.
‘The plans have not changed much. Anyone staying in the rooms down the side of the hotel will have the pleasure of being overshadowed constantly. We feel that the applicant has not done enough to stop the overshadowing,’ he said.
John Nicholson, representing Marina Metro, raised concerns over the size of the apartments and said some were not within planning guidelines.
However, Ian McDonald, director of Axis Mason – the architects behind the project – told the committee that the existing buildings were of very poor quality and emphasised the need for regeneration of the area.
‘The Marina Metro Hotel, with the greatest respect, is not of particular architectural merit,’ he said.
‘It is built hard and fast up to all of its boundaries and, for its purpose, it requires and relies upon the existing site [Carribean Vibz] – which it does not own or control – for the successful operation of some of its rooms.
‘There is of course no right to a view and there is no specific policy controlling daylight admittance in terms of the hotel rooms. This is not a residential property this is a hotel.’
James Stratford, director of Mevanna Prestige, first applied to develop the site of Caribbean Vibz, Maison Chaussey Guest House and Drifters Restaurant and Bar in December 2017, but plans were later withdrawn.
A subsequent application was refused as it was deemed that it would cause an ‘overbearing impact’ on the adjacent Marina Metro Hotel.
But, in July 2019, a ‘significantly’ amended application was lodged and yesterday approved.
In coming to a decision on the application, which the Planning Department had recommended for approval, Deputy Lindsay Ash, said applications where businesses were impinged upon were ‘always difficult’. However, he added that the application was acceptable and approved it.
Deputy Rowland Huelin, referring to the impact on the hotel, said the plans had changed significantly since the first application and it was with a ‘heavy heart’ that he had to approve it.
Constable Deidre Mezbourian and Philip Le Sueur also chose to approve the development.
