"We want to see the rejuvenation" Impassioned plea to approve Queens Hotel housing plans despite concerns
Queens Hotel owner makes impassioned plea ahead of planning decision
An impassioned plea has been made for plans to for new residential blocks beside the historic Queens Hotel in Southsea to be given the go-ahead - with high hopes it will help to transform the city.
It comes ahead of a crucial planning decision on Wednesday (May 27), with the hotel’s managing director speaking out about his hopes and fears for the scheme he believes will transform this corner of the city.
Under the plans, the former casino at 18-24 Osborne Road, numbers 12-16, and land to the south-east of the hotel would be demolished and replaced with “The Residence” – a seven-storey block with shops at ground level and 55 one, two and three-bedroom apartments above.
Meanwhile, The Pavilion nearby would be five storeys with 23 apartments that are a mix of one, two and three bedroom homes. No affordable housing is included.
As previously reported by The News, planning officers have recommended the scheme be refused because of the ‘impact of the proposed buildings on the surrounding heritage assets’, with concerns about the impact on nearby listed buildings.
But the hotel’s managing director Farid Yeganeh said he hoped members of the planning committee would go against the recommendation and see fit to approve plans which he believes will enhance the surrounding area.
He said: “When my partners and I took on the Queens Hotel in 2017 our desire was to breathe new life into the area and see it transformed. We want to see the rejuvenation of Osborne Road and strongly believe that our development will enhance the area and bring much needed new homes.
“As custodians of one of the most beautiful landmark buildings in Portsmouth, we want to ensure the hotel continues to go from strength to strength. We worked hard through the lockdowns to re-establish the Queens as a premier destination in the city and we really want to be part of the continued economic success of the city.
“The development of The Residence and The Pavilion will enhance the look and feel of Osborne Road and encourage more people to visit the shops, bars and restaurants in our locality,” he said.
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Mr Yeganeh stressed there had been a significant investment of time and money to bring the development to the planning committee and they had listened to concerns raised during the consultation.
“We have made substantial changes through the design and application process to improve the proposals, and we believe the scheme before members represents an appropriate form of development for the site and is deliverable,” he said.
He said the following changes have already been made to the proposals:
- The Osborne Road block was moved back 3.5 m, increasing separation to 14m from No. 2 Clifton Road, retaining a 2m footpath, creating space for planting, and reducing units by six.
- Along Clifton Road, windows were replaced with louvred grilles or dummy openings, landscaping enhanced, and service areas relocated further from neighbours.
- Further refinements submitted earlier in May this year reduced the building by an additional storey, making it two storeys lower than the earliest concept.
- Upper floors are now set back, the ridge line falls below the Queen’s Hotel, and detailing strengthens the hotel’s prominence.
Portsmouth City Council’s planning committee is considering the application after it was called in by council leader Steve Pitt, who supports the proposal. This means that the committee now gets the final say.
Mr Yeganeh said: “We believe our scheme will protect the long-term future of the Queens Hotel at a time when hospitality is being challenged on all fronts.
“We respectfully ask members to overturn that recommendation and support a scheme that delivers much needed new homes, regeneration and investment on a prominent Southsea site that will support the long-term future of Osborne Road and the heart of Southsea.”