COUNCILLORS have voted to refuse plans to expand a hotel development on Grays High Street, despite the scheme already having outline approval in a smaller form.

Members of the planning committee backed an officer recommendation to reject a revised proposal for a 35-bedroom hotel at 21–25 High Street, which included an additional storey and rear extension.

Permission had previously been granted in January for a smaller 26-room scheme with a single extra floor, but the new application sought to significantly increase the scale of the development.

Applicant Mr Hamid Aslam argued the expanded scheme would be "more financially viable", saying the additional nine rooms would attract more visitors, boost footfall and create jobs.

He added: "The extra storey will bring more business, visitors and tourists into the high street as well as being more financially viable by creating more jobs.

"The application for the ground and second floor has already been approved and although the application does increase the overall height, it does not implicate the additional amenities or affect the street scene of the already approved scheme and there was no objections from the public."

Mr Aslam also stressed the proposal would sit six metres back to ensure it can not be seen from eye level.

Challenging the statement, Cllr Jack Fuller asked if the applicant could provide the potential footfall of the hotel so councillors could see the economic benefits of adding nine more rooms.

advertisement

However, at the time of questioning, the applicant was unable to do so.

Committe chair Cllr Russell Cherry also asked if Mr Aslam had conducted an independent public consultation, which the applicant confirmed had not taken place.

A planning report warned the enlarged development would appear "uncharacteristic and incongruous" and would harm the character of the High Street due to its increased size, height and design.

Officers did acknowledge the proposal could contribute to town centre regeneration and would not create unacceptable impacts on neighbouring properties, highways or flood risk.

Despite that, councillors concluded the visual impact outweighed those benefits, voting six to one in favour of refusal in order to preserve the character of the street scene.

The development forms part of a wider plan to convert three commercial units into hotel accommodation, with some retail use retained at ground level.

Under the proposals, units at numbers 21 and 25 would remain in commercial use, while number 23 would be incorporated into the hotel. The existing pawnbroker tenant has been served notice ahead of lease expiry.