Investigation launched after Victorian house demolished during building of easyHotel in Cambridge
A planning investigation has been launched after a house in Godesdone Road was demolished by developers involved in the building of the new 100-room easyHotel in Cambridge.
The demolition of the Victorian house was contrary to the planning permission, which required the house to form part of the hotel. The demolition was flagged up by Green Party councillors Hannah Copley and Naomi Bennett, both of Abbey ward, and they have praised the city council for acting swiftly to investigate the matter.
Cllr Copley said: “Essentially the developer who was starting to build easyHotel at 211-213 Newmarket Road has demolished a beautiful Victorian house (which is 2 Godesdone Road). This is in breach of planning permission given which specified that the house must be retained, and was due to be incorporated into the new hotel. It is pretty shocking.
“Development has currently completely stopped while planning enforcement, who we had alerted, are investigating.”
Cllr Bennett added: “Work has ceased as the breach is investigated.
“We are very grateful to the council’s planning enforcement department for this prompt action, and will be following up closely on this.”
Stephen Kelly, joint director of planning and economic development for Greater Cambridge, said: “We’re still trying to understand the background to the circumstances surrounding the demolition of the building, and it would be premature for me to conclude whether or not it would then be expedient to take action through the courts. But that’s clearly a potential avenue to look at once we’ve clarified the circumstances surrounding the event.”
He added they were checking whether the building had become unsafe and so became necessary to demolish.
A spokesperson for easyHotel declined to comment.
The plans for the budget hotel have proved controversial, with residents campaigning against them prior to permission being granted.
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