Cambridge hotel wrecked by fire could make way for new flats
A blaze damaged the building last year and the business has not operated since.
The remains of a guest house which was destroyed by fire could be bulldozed to make way for a new block of flats.
The Lovell Lodge Hotel site on Milton Road has been derelict since the building was damaged by a fire in June of last year.
But while the unused building is an eyesore, the proposals to redevelop the site have not been well received by some residents, who claim the flats will impact on the privacy of nearby homes and that the plans lack sufficient parking.
The scheme has been created by developer Twenty Nine Architecture and could allow for 14 homes – studio apartments and one- and two-bedroom flats – on the site. The planning application says the plans are “a much-needed opportunity to regenerate the site, which in its present state detracts from the character of its surroundings and presents a health and safety risk”.
The proposed flats would occupy a similar footprint to the hotel, although the front of the new building would be taller – a feature which has drawn criticism.
“It is clear that the proposed property is adding an entire extra floor in comparison to what is currently there, which is not in keeping to the neighbouring properties at Seeleys Court,” objected one resident. “The large brick wall is already very intimidating when looking from Seeleys Court and will be enormously overbearing should it be allowed to go up by another floor.”
Another resident has written to the city council’s planning department to say that balconies and terraces from the flats will overlook gardens, bedrooms and living rooms of homes in Seeleys Court and Lovell Road.
Concerns have also been raised that the four parking bays proposed will not be enough for 14 flats based on the availability of on-street parking in the area.
However, there is support for the hotel site to be redeveloped.
Cambridge City Council has until January next year to decide if the plans are suitable.
