THE Savoy’s director is fighting back against the rejection of his plans to demolish the hotel and replace it with 53 ‘eco-townhouses’ – alleging that the decision was ‘unsound’ because the Planning Committee was shown ‘incorrect material, which was potentially misleading’.
Submitted earlier this month, Roberto Lora’s appeal outlines why he disagrees with the eight reasons the committee gave for rejecting the scheme.
Mr Lora’s original plans for The Savoy included a mix of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments – which the hotel director previously said ‘underpin the family-orientated vision of the scheme’.
Mr Lora said that he had received mixed messages from planning officers and that there was a ‘farcical scene’ as the proposals were presented to the committee at a meeting last month.
But his proposals were unanimously rejected amid concerns over the impact on neighbouring properties. Committee chair Deputy Steve Luce highlighted the inconsistencies between the drawings and details found within the application while Deputy Alex Curtis added that ‘we need to be clear on what we are approving’.
Following the committee’s decision, Mr Lora said that his experience with planning had cost his family £250,000 and he raised ‘concerns about the competence and effectiveness of the Planning Department’.
Mr Lora said he believed that ‘most of the reasons [for the plan’s rejection] could be dismissed easily’ with all the correct information.
‘Obviously some of the reasons are up for debate,’ he said.
‘But some are completely factually wrong so easy to dismiss.’
The hotel director added that it was ‘normal in built-up areas to have some level of compromise’, but said that he maintained the view that his plans were a ‘great benefit to the Island’ and ‘overall for the public good’.
Mr Lora’s criticism of Planning follows an independent report on the ‘underperforming’ department, which condemned its ‘unfit for purpose’ processes and ‘severely dysfunctional IT systems’ and called for ‘radical improvements’.
In his review, Jim McKinnon CBE – a former chief planner to the Scottish Government – found that the processes for seeking planning permission are ‘seriously dysfunctional’ and require ‘radical improvements’.
He added that ‘far too much is expected of young and inexperienced staff lacking the technical knowledge to carry out work effectively’ in the department.
Following the review, Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf admitted that the department was ‘falling short’, and pledged to take action to address the problems identified by Mr McKinnon.
