Plans to demolish Haven Hotel in Sandbanks rejected

Plans to demolish a seaside hotel have been rejected, after a council said the developer "failed to provide sufficient information" about the works.

The Haven Hotel, built in 1887 and expanded in the 1920s, sits on the southern corner of Sandbanks, at the entrance to Poole Harbour in Dorset.

Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) said the application for prior approval by Planning Strategy Ltd lacked key information on the demolition process, site restoration and environmental impacts.

Council planners said they could not properly assess the potential effects on neighbouring properties, local residents and the environment.

In the application to BCP by Pure Town Planning, on behalf of Planning Strategy, it stated: "demolition and the securing of the site is the responsible course," and that "no justification for the demolition is required".

It added: "A large vacant building in this exposed and highly visible coastal location would be vulnerable to unauthorised entry, vandalism and the breakage of glazing, with consequent harm to the visual amenity of a prominent seafront frontage and a risk to public safety.

Haven Hotel continues to operate on the site.

The application for the 2.5-acre site, was met by more than 50 objections.

It followed previous plans by FJB Hotels and developer Fortitudo, to replace the hotel with flats, which were refused in 2022.

More than 6,000 people objected to the previous scheme, which also included plans to replace Sandbanks Hotel with a 171-room hotel and Harbour Heights Hotel with 38 hotel apartments.

The Sandbanks Community Group, which has consistently opposed proposals at the site has said it is "delighted" with the BCP's decision.

It said "enough is enough" adding that it would support the owner of the site so that it can remain a "top class hotel".

Developer unveils plan to demolish Sandbanks hotel