More than 200 object to plans to replace ‘eyesore' hotel with bigger property

More than 200 people have objected to plans to demolish the 906-room Holiday Inn Kensington Forum hotel and replace it with a larger property.

Residents living in the vicinity of the south London hotel have said the plans would "replace one out of place monstrosity with a new, even worse, larger eyesore!"

The existing hotel, which has been officially classed as an "eyesore" by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, was built between 1971 and 1972.

A planning application lodged with the council by Queensgate Bow UK Holdco Limited proposes demolishing the existing building and replacing it with a 759-bedroom hotel, with 340 serviced apartments and 46 permanent homes as well as restaurant, conferencing and leisure facilities.

Plans for the 0.76 hectare site include two towers of 29 and 22 storeys.

Other comments lodged during the public consultation, which ended on Friday, said the existing structure "overshadows the neighbourhood and deprives us of light" adding that an even larger structure "should not be allowed".

Another objector added: "Too big, too tall, too ugly, too out of keeping with a conservation area, too imposing on local residents privacy and daylight."

Jonathan Manns, head of planning at Rockwell, the development partner of Queensgate Investments, said: "Designed by award-winning architects, this scheme will transform a functionally obsolete building and recognised local eyesore into a world-class hotel-led development.

"We've worked closely with the community to propose a new building which will significantly improve the appearance of the site and the amenities it provides. The proposal also introduces new market and affordable homes, stepping height away from nearby residential properties and reintroducing the historic garden square which is much desired by the local community."

Image: Google Streetview

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