Amended plans to convert the former Eagle Inn pub in Ramsgate into a hotel have been approved by Thanet council.
The application, initially made by Williams Group UK Ltd, was initially for a 14-bed hotel but changes to reduce the scale of the rear extension and massing means the property has been granted permission for 12 bedrooms.
The former High Street pub, which has been empty a number of years, was damaged by fire during the 1980s. Repairs meant the loss of some original features when it reopened in 1986.
In more recent years the property became vacant and was infested with pigeons, which were cleared during the summer of 2018.
The property dates from circa 1763 and received Grade II Listed Building status on 4th February 1988.
Extensive works are planned for the building including the removal of existing staircase and creation of new timber staircase with rooflight above, dumb waiter installed to all floor and new partitions throughout to create en-suite guest accommodation and café /reception area.
Disabled access is also proposed to the side elevation with accessible facilities on the ground floor. The eagle over the doorway will also feature.
Parking spaces are not included but nearby Cannon Road car park is highlighted.
Planning documents say: “The proposals seek to create a B&B / Hotel with modern standards of bedroom space and ensuite facilities as well as ancillary spaces required.
“It is hoped that the benefits of reinstating one of the oldest pubs in Ramsgate into accommodation for tourists will outweigh the perceived harm of removing the rear structures that have largely been rebuilt in the late 1980s with little remaining fabric of historic importance.”
A response from Thanet council’s conservation officer says: “Internally the listed building is somewhat of a shell of its former self with limited to no heritage features being retained. There is historic fabric throughout the site of varying degrees where it has had multiple phases of construction. Largely this is being retained through minimal intervention, more walls are being reinstated than taken down due to the condition of the building.
“Stud walls are proposed in a modern format but with traditional insulation which would be reversible long term if this property was to be converted in the future without further harm to the fabric caused.
“Typically ensuites would not be supported in this quantity or layout however given the open nature of the existing layout of the site and the reversible nature of the proposed in this instance it is acceptable.
“Externally are the largest changes associated with the proposed. At pre application stage the demolition of the contemporary piecemeal rear extension was established to be acceptable in principle given its much later addition to the site. What is being proposed in its place is a single massing contemporarily clad form with a pitched roof infill and parapet. Although contemporary in its form there is a nod to the more historic architectural language of the site through the use of these details.
“The original and prominent eagle to the front elevation is being restored and relocated to the property which is a considerable benefit of the scheme.
“Overall this application has been amended sufficiently to regenerate this property, retaining the heritage fabric which remains but also constructing a modern, contrasting and contemporary rear extension.
“Although a level of harm is considered to be caused to the core of the listed property, long term its sustainability and ensured condition is protected moving forward whilst maintaining a positive setting and appearance for the site.”
The Eagle Inn (formerly the Spread Eagle and The Spread-Eagle Tavern) started life as three cottages in 1763. Soon after which, in 1776, it was converted into an inn. In 1809 it had its own water pump at the rear of the building and in 1810 it also had a saddler’s workshop. Between 1846-1874 the pub doubled as a revenue office because the landlord William Terry was also a tax collector!
The former pub previously had permission granted to change its use into a hotel in 2017. This lapsed and a further application to convert it into four flats, lodged in 2019, was withdrawn.
The property was then offered at auction in 2022 with a freehold guide price of £250,000-plus.
The new owner Mx Williams, of The Dolphin in Broadstairs, bought the property for £200,000 and has since made the building water tight and removed damaged and sodden fabric relating to the 1986 period of rebuild.
Williams Group UK Ltd was dissolved by compulsory strike off in April this year. Mr Williams is currently director and secretary of UK Properties Development Ltd.
Notice that the hotel proposal has been approved was published today (June 6).
