From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Jack Dyson, 5 September 2022.

Ramsgate residents' fears over ‘bulky and obtrusive’ bid for The Royal’s building.

A harbourside revamp will turn a “tired” building that houses a historic pub into a “bold landmark”, developers believe.

But critics fear housebuilder Jamie Copland’s plans for The Royal in Harbour Parade, Ramsgate, will transform it into a “bulky and obtrusive” structure.

A CGI showing how the development is expected to look.

Drawings show he wants to partially demolish the 1930s building and add a five-storey extension accommodating eight new flats and a reduced-sized commercial area on the ground floor.

In documents lodged with Thanet District Council, Mr Copland argues: “This will better secure the future of the commercial element and maintain the active street frontage.

“The site offers an opportunity for a bold landmark scheme that will create a statement.

“While the building has some historic relevance, it has been subject to minor changes over the years that have negatively impacted its character and appearance.

“It has also begun to appear tired due to a lack of investment and upkeep recently.

“A new lease of life would benefit the site, while also encouraging long-term occupation and upkeep, both of which are under threat.”

Mr Copland also believes his scheme “would act as a catalyst for future regeneration” in the area.

Despite this, the proposals – which were submitted to the local authority in June – have attracted opposition from residents.

A neighbour is vowing to “seek legal advice” over concerns the project would lead to a “loss of light”. Meanwhile, Ramsgate Town Council also believes the plans should be snubbed.

“The proposal is bulky and obtrusive,” a spokesman said.

“It is out of character with the conservation area, and not in keeping with the street scene.”

Thanet District Council conservation officer Josie Sinden also says she appreciates “a contemporary approach has been taken to develop this site”, but that she has “concerns” about the scheme, which she believes should be withdrawn and reconsidered.

The site currently has two flats above the tavern, with Mr Copland aiming to build eight more – including a three-bedroom penthouse.

The Royal has a first-floor function room, which would be lost should the project be given the green light.

Planning documents stress the commercial space will be “retained”.

But when asked if The Royal will remain at the site, Philip Thorley – whose firm Thorley Taverns runs the pub – said: “All planning is taking a month of Sundays at the moment because there’s a backlog from Covid.

“The Royal is there, it’s open seven days a week and there’s a planning application in.

“When and if that’s granted, then we’ll look at what happens.”

Records show a business has existed on the site since the 1600s.

In 1717 the premises became licensed as the King’s Head Tavern, before changing its name to The Royal Hotel following a visit from George IV in the 1800s.

The building was remodelled later that century and became one of the most dominant structures in the harbour, with parts of it being five storeys high.

It was demolished in 1938 and replaced with the current edifice, which opened the following year.

From the https://theisleofthanetnews.com By Kathy Bailes, 20 December 2022.

The Royal pub in Ramsgate ceases Saturday night trading ‘with immediate effect’

The Royal on Ramsgate’s Harbour Parade will not open on Saturday nights with immediate effect, it has been announced today.

It means events advertised for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are cancelled.

A message posted on The Royal’s social media page says: “It is with great regret that we have made a tough decision to cease trading on Saturday nights with immediate effect.

“We will not be open on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve as previously advertised. We are still trading daily from 10am-7pm until further notice.”

The pub has been part of the Thorley Taverns stable for many years but has been going through the process of being sold.

Plans for the site were lodged with Thanet council back in June.

Applicant Jamie Copland wants to demolish part of the existing building and erect a five-storey side extension with recessed balconies, single storey roof extension and roof terrace. He also wants to add a new three-storey building to rear to provide 8 apartments and rearrange two existing apartments and reduce the scale of the current commercial unit housing The Royal pub.

A decision on the application has not yet been made.

In October Thorley Taverns director Phil Thorley told The Isle of Thanet News that the company is focusing on investment on its existing estate.

He added: “The late night (economy) in Ramsgate, and everywhere, has changed. We have been looking at that change and a change of direction and are investing in our existing estate, spending lots of money inside and outside on different venues.”

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Daniel Esson, 17 August 2023.

Royal pub in Ramsgate to be redeveloped after plans approved by Thanet District Council.

The redevelopment of a seafront pub into a complex of flats and a commercial venue will “stick out like a sore thumb”, it is feared.

Plans to partially demolish and convert the Royal on Harbour Parade in Ramsgate have been given the green light by Thanet District Council (TDC).

Harbour Parade Ramsgate Ltd, which is behind the bid, says “the development seeks to act as a regenerative feature along the seafront promenade of Ramsgate”.

But opponents believe the modern design is out-of-keeping with the area surrounding the prominent site, which sits opposite Ramsgate Harbour.

Documents show the pub will be partially knocked down, with a five-storey extension - complete with roof terrace - built to the side.

Part of the ground floor and basement will be turned into commercial space, for which an operator has yet to be found.

At a meeting of TDC’s planning committee last night, councillors debated the development, which includes eight new apartments and the rearrangement of two existing ones in the building.

Street views show how the Royal pub in Ramsgate currently looks.

Developers will build a five-storey side extension to the Royal pub building, opposite Ramsgate Harbour.

The area’s representative, Cllr Tricia Austin (Green), told members she welcomes the development of a brownfield site, and does not bemoan the loss of the pub, but has serious concerns about the designs.

“I believe, many residents believe, and many Ramsgate town councillors believe, this proposal is still too large and obtrusive,” she said.

“It is not in keeping and we are very concerned that it will have a very damaging effect on the seafront of the only royal harbour in the country.”

Referring to the opinion of council officers that the proposal would cause “less than substantial harm” to the area, she added: “I am astonished that as the custodians of the only royal harbour in the country we are considering any form of harm.”

She said the designs should be sent back to the drawing board to be reduced in height by one floor.

Other councillors expressed similar concerns, with Steve Albon (Lab) adding “I’ve got no problem with having a development there and having that extension, I just believe that it’s just that bit too high.”

Cllr Rebecca Wing (Green) was more scathing in her comments.

“I agree that the royal building is not a particularly great-looking building presently,” she said.

“I just find that modern in-fill hideous, I have to say.

“It’s going to stick out like a sore thumb on that seafront.”

She suggested the plans be sent back to the developers for redesign.

Council officers, however, had recommended approval for the scheme.

“We do think that there is an appropriate balance struck here between the design, the conservation area and the listed building and the provision of eight units in a highly sustainable brownfield site,” the lead planning officer told councillors.

Other members thought the redevelopment would improve the seafront, with Cllr Pat Makinson (Lab) saying: “I find the Royal building very lumpish, not terribly attractive.

“I think it’s quite right that they use entirely different materials as they do in places like Italy where they’re building up against quite a lot of old classical buildings.”

The pub was opened by Thorley Taverns 28 years ago but has since been sold after being put on the market more than two years ago.

Philip Thorley, the director of the Thanet chain, says it will continue to run the venue until its new owners push forward with the development.

“We opened up the Royal in 1995 and we’ve had nearly 30 years of very successful trading there,” he said.

“We just decided it was time for us to look at ventures new, and we’ve been investing a lot of money within our existing estate.

“Now somebody else is going to breathe new life into it and I think it’s a great opportunity for Ramsgate seafront.

“The planning last night is just the next chapter in the book of the Royal going forward, and we wish the new owners the best of luck with it.”

TDC’s planning committee voted nine in favour, four against, and one abstention, to delegate the bid to officers for approval.

Before being officially set in motion a legal agreement will need to be on the level of developer contributions required to reduce the impact of the plans on the coastal environment.