From the East Kent Mercury 16 June 2011.

50 years ago

Deal hotelier. Captain E.D. Richwood, reported "his plan for turning the Queen's Hotel, on Victoria Parade, into the finest establishment of its kind on the south-east coast". A 500 seater banqueting hail, roof-top garden and heliport were among the changes envisaged.

From the Mercury, 16 September, 1999.

By David G Collyer.

The spandrels above the handsome entrance doorway had these two figures  representing the "South Eastern Railway Company" and the town of Deal?

From the East Kent Mercury, 22 March, 1979.

QUEEN'S HOTEL IS BOUGHT FOR £110,000.

The Queen's Hotel, Deal was sold at a property auction in London on Thursday. It was "knocked down" for £110,000 by auctioneers, Messrs. Hillyers.

The new owner is Mr. V. Melvani, who lives in Gloucester Court, London. N. W. 1.

Hillyers says the completion of contacts will take about a month.

Mr. Melvini was in Deal on Sunday and immediately called in the police after finding evidence of vandalism in various parts of the building.

He says the windows all around the hotel had been smashed and vandals had broken into the building to destroy bathrooms and take away lead piping.

"It is senseless behaviour," he commented.

Mr. Melvani, who says he was born in this country, revealed he had no immediate plans for the hotel, which has 62 bedrooms.

"I would like to maintain it as an hotel, but this vandalism has made me think again," he said.

From the East Kent Mercury, 23 August, 1979.

QUEEN'S BACK ON MARKET.

The Queen's Hotel, on Deal seafront, - the condition of which is giving concern to residents - is on the market again. The 62-bedroom hotel, closed since October, 1977, will be offered for auction in October, but could be sold privately before then.

The Queen's was first sold by auctioneers, Messrs Hillyers, of London, in March for £110,000. It went to Mr. V. Melvani, of Gloucester Court, London.

But the contract was never completed and now the massive building, which dominates Deal's seafront skyline and virtually overshadows Deal Castle, is again on the market.

It is understood Hillyers have had a number of enquiries for sale by private treaty and among these is a consortium with a golfing interest.

Meanwhile the state of the hotel built by the old South Eastern Railway in 1900 - is giving concern. Vandals continue to smash windows and thieves have stolen lead from the roof and other parts of the building.

Deal and Walmer Chambers of Trade is particularly worried about the state and the future of the Queen's, and has been in touch with the District Council.

LIABLE

The Council is expected to debate the situation in the September cycle of committee meetings. As an empty property, the hotel is not liable for rate payments although it could be liable to surcharge.

Mr. Roy Knowles, president of the Chamber of Trade, told the East Kent mercury. "The Chamber has discussed the Queen's Hotel at length and has communicated its concern to the District Council.

DEPRESSING

"The Queen's must be brought back into productive use as soon as possible and certainly before the Open Golf Championships coming to Sandwich in 1981.

"It is a depressing sight for both residents and visitors. It is a bad advertisement for Deal. I am pleased to know it is again on the market and hopeful it will return to its former glory."

From the East Kent Mercury, 28 August, 1980.

QUEEN'S BACK ON MARKET.

The Queen's Hotel, on Deal seafront, is up for sale again. The 62-bedroomed building opposite Deal Castle is being offered for auction by Worsfolds on Wednesday, October 8th, 1980.

Worsfolds point out the hotel - built by the old South Eastern and Chatham Railway - now has planning permission for conversion to 39 flats.

Planning permission was granted by the Dover District Council some months ago to two Thanet hoteliers, Mr. Alan Kesterton and Mr. John Richardson.

They planned a six-storeyed wing in Randleigh Road and a five-storeyed wing in Deal Castle Road.

There was also going to be a restaurant, private members' club sauna and a fully-equipped gymnasium. The project was expected to have provided around 50 jobs.

NEITHER

Neither Mr. Kesterton or Mr. Richardson were available for comment yesterday (Wednesday) and Worsfolds would not disclose on whose instructions they were offering the property.

The "Queen's Hotel" has been closed since October, 1977, and since then has been offered for sale several times.

When it closed, the then owners claimed they were forced out of business because complying with Fire Regulations was beyond them.

In the last three years, the once-elegant hotel has deteriorated rapidly and has been attacked by both thieves and vandals. Lead has gone from the roof and dozens of windows have been smashed.

From the East Kent Mercury, 6 November, 1980.

SCHEME TO PULL DOWN QUEEN'S HOTEL.

Proposals are before the Dover District Council for the demolition of the Queen's Hotel on Deal seafront. It is planned to pull down the Victorian building and erect a block of 60 flats.

The Queen's is owned by two Thanet hoteliers, Mr. John Richardson and Mr. Alan Kesterton, who have been given planning permission for an additional six-storied wing in Ranclagh Road and a five storied wing in Deal Castle Road.

Their idea for the creation of a club with restaurant, sauna and gymnasium, and luxury apartments. But the revelation caught up with them and the idea was no longer viable.

An attempt to sell the 62-bedroomed hotel by auction in October was stopped when it failed to reach the reserve of £150,000.

Mr. Richardson told the East Kent Mercury: "With the present financial climate there is no future for the Queen's. We hope to get planning permission for demolition.

"The new block of flats will be designed to blend with Deal's distinctive seafront. The flats will be in the mid-market sector and will sell for £30,000 each.

The Queen's Hotel has been closed since October, 1977, and has become a target of thieves and vandals. Lead has gone on the roof, and almost every window in the building is now broken.

From the East Kent Mercury, 18 December, 1980.

QUEEN'S MAY HAVE TO BE PRESERVED.

A plan to demolish the Queen's Hotel on Deal seafront will be considered by the District Council Planning Committee next month. It is proposed to build a block of flats on the site, but the plan could be thwarted by the Department of the Environment deciding the building is of historical or architectural interest.

An exclusive report in the East Kent Mercury six weeks ago, the owner's of the Queen's, Thanet Hoteliers Mr. John Richardson and Mr. Alan Kesterton, have now abandoned their idea of converting the hotel into luxury apartments and a club, with restaurant and sauna.

After an unsuccessful attempt to sell the property by auction, they are now planning to build a block of 60 flats.

Mr. Richardson told the East Kent Mercury: "The new block of flats would blend with Deal's distinctive seafront.

The flats it is understood, would sell at around £30,000.

Mr. Richardson and Mr. Kesterton are working in close co-operation with Deal building contractor, Mr. Arthur Letheren, who says that since the Queen's was closed in October, 1977, vandals have made the building completely derelict.

"Thieves have taken lead from the roof with the result the building is waterlogged .Fittings have been wrenched away in rooms. It looks just as bad as bomb damage," he says.

Mr. Letheren claims there is no alternative to demolition and Mr. Richardson says further deterioration to the 85-year-old building could make it dangerous.

JOBS

Mr. Letheren adds the demolition of the Queen's and the development of the new flats would create jobs within the local building industry, which is now depressed.

"The development would not only remove an eyesore and improve the appearance of Deal seafront, it would create jobs in the town," says Mr. Letheren.

The planning committee on Thursday were told by Mr. David Sturt, Director of Planning, he had "heard informally, the Queen's had been listed as being of historic or architectural interest."

From the East Kent Mercury, 2 January, 1981.

WHITEHALL THWARTS PLAN FOR QUEEN'S.

The Queen's Hotel, on Deal seafront, has been listed as a building of architectural and historical interest by the Department of the Environment. This will thwart the plan for its demolition to make way for a block of flats. The Queen's was built in the closing years of the last century.

The owners, Thanet hoteliers Mr. John Richardson and Mr. Allan Kesterton, with Deal developer Mr. Arthur Letheren plan a block of 60 flats on the Queen's Hotel site.

The hotel has been empty since 1977, and have been the target of vandals and thieves. Virtually every window in the property is broken and lead has been stolen from the roof. Inside, damp has caused ceilings to fall and fittings have been wrenched out and stolen.

The Department of the Environment's decision came after representation from Deal Society, the Civic Trust and the Victorian Society.

The hotel was surveyed by the Department in 1972 and was then considered not to merit inclusion on its statutory list.

The Department says it reopened its survey of the Queen's because of renewed interest from various amenities grounds.

Mr. Letheren said the demolition and building of the flats would have given a boost to the ailing local building trade.

At Tuesday's meeting of the District Council Policy and Recourses Committee, Cllr. Albert Cavell said the Preservation Order placed on the Queen's Hotel meant it could soon become the town's black-spot.

Cllr. Cavell persuaded the committee to apply to the Department of the Environment to rescind the Preservation Order of Nelson Hall, which it owns and wants to sell. The hall, he emphasised, was a special case.

"We will be doing nothing more than any private owner would do," he said.

This is an artists impression of the development planned for the "Queen's Hotel" site. The project comes before the District Council's Planning Committee this month.

From the East Kent Mercury, 12 March, 1981.

NEW OWNERS PLANS FOR THE QUEEN'S HOTEL.

The Queen's Hotel, on Deal seafront, derelict for three years, has been acquired by Mr. Arthur Letheren, local builder, contractor and developer. He plans a £2½ million complex of luxury flats, possibly with a sauna and squash courts.

Mr. Letheren, whose offices in Victoria Road, Deal, have acquired the 62-bedroom hotel from two Thanet hoteliers, Mr. John Richardson and Mr. Alan Kesterton.

With his new business partner, Mr. Trevor Smith, he is now applying to the District Council for planning permission to demolish the Victorian building.

LISTED

At the end of last year, the Department of the Environment  listed the Queen's as a building of historic interest because it is the only large scale secular design by James Brooks, well-known designer of churches a century ago.

This followed representations by various local conservationalists.

Before demolition can begin, if permitted by the local authorities, Mr. Letheren must persuade the Department to rescind its listing, and hopes the District Council will back him in this move.

Mr. Letheren says residents who called for the listing have created an impossibly situation.

He told the East Kent Mercury: "Why, so suddenly, has this building been listed? Such action should have taken place 10 years ago - not when the building is in a state of un-repair, I am very disappointed ... and so are the majority of people in Deal who would like to see the derelict Queen's come down.

Mr. Letheren says the cost of restoration is no longer viable and adds if the Queen's was restored as a hotel, it could not become a financial success.

Deal-born Mr. Letheren calls the Queen's a "white elephant." he says he admires old buildings and lives in one, but claims the Queen's has nothing to offer Deal.

"Deal id dying through lack of industry. My plan for the Queen's hotel would provide substantial employment in the depressed building industry for more than two years.

"Demolition and rebuilding will provide work for more than 100 men at a time when the recession is hitting Deal hard!"

Mr. Letheren says the injection of some 40 new families to the town - by living in the area complex - would create benefit for all shops. And he adds his complex would give a new dimension to the most prominent site in Deal.

From the East Kent Mercury, Thursday 12 March, 1981

This is how the "Queen's Hotel" site, on Deal seafront, will look if plans for the demolition of the hotel and its redevelopment are allowed. The corner will become the setting for a group of apartments. A new application for the demolition of the hotel, which has recently become a listed building, is to go before the District Council.

From the East Kent Mercury, Thursday 19 March, 1981

This model shows in detail the proposals for the Queen's Hotel site, on Deal seafront. It has been prepared by local architects, Messrs. Robinson and Miller, and is on view at Deal Library until Saturday, February 28.

From the East Kent Mercury, 2 April, 1981.

PETITION SEEKS TO DEMOLISH QUEEN'S.

An application for the demolition of the Queen's Hotel, on Deal seafront, will be considered by the District Council's Planning Committee tonight (Thursday). The applicant, Mr. Arthur Letheren, has backed his plan with a petition signed by over 600 local residents  in favour of the Victorian hotel being pulled down.

The signatures were collected in a matter of a few hours in one session in Deal High Street, says Mr. Letheren.

But there is determined opposition from conservationists. The Victorian Society, Deal Society, the Ancient Monuments  Society and the Wellington and District Residents Association all want the Queen's Hotel to be saved.

The various organisations want the facade preserved at all costs.

Deal Society is demanding the District Council to take "all steps allowed by law" to ensure repairs are carried out to the building - "before irreversible deterioration occurs."

But Deal and Walmer Chamber of Trade is supporting Mr. Letheren's demolition proposal.

The Chamber emphasises the plan to pull down the derelict hotel and build a complex of 40 luxury flats will bring an influx of purchasing power to the Deal area and provide badly-needed local employment.

In his report to the Planning Committee tonight, Mr. David Sturt, Director of Planning will support demolition. He says the redevelopment plan respects the scale and character of Deal seafront.

"In my view it is an imaginative and vigorous design. The detailing is sensitive... It will enhance the character of the Conservation Area at this point," he says.

Mr. Sturt points out no adverse representations have been received from residents adjoining the site.

"The proposed development, in my view, will do more to enhance the character of the area than the retention of the existing building and will be of greater benefit to the town as a whole," he says.

Mr. Sturt suggests the Department of the Environment's move a few weeks ago in making the hotel a listed building after refusing this some 10 years earlier was to create a "spot list" to enable a full assessment to be made.

He makes the point that Planning Committee members may feel the listing, other than as a holding exercise, was somewhat dubious for a building that is less than a century old and not a particular piece of outstanding Victorian architecture, particularly with alterations made.

From the East Kent Mercury, Wednesday 15 April, 1981.

QUEEN'S DESTROYED.

Mystery blaze in the night.

The blaze which gutted the Queen's Hotel in the early hours of Thursday morning - sealing the fate of the controversial building - was hardly unexpected.

Many people gazing at the war-setting conditions of the Victorian structure over the last few months had forewarned that it would end its days in flames.

But even we, the sight of the blaze shooting up through the roof and out of the windows, caused some surprise and shock, particularly coming only 12 days after another massive fire destroyed Denne's former deposit in Queen Street.

Firemen were called to the Hotel just after 3.20 am where nearby resident Mr. David Lloyd, at Deal castle Road, spotted the fire.

More than 40 firemen were called in from Deal, St. Margaret's, Sandwich, Eastry, Canterbury, Thanet and Folkestone, including an emergency tender and two turntable ladders. Divisional officer Frank Coult and Station Officer Mark Gidman of Deal were among the officers who attended. Ambulance-men were also called.

The fire fighting operation went on throughout the day and night and into Friday. Firemen pumped water from the sea and police closed off surrounding roads.

On Friday evening firemen were called back to the hotel after more smoke and sparks were seen coming from the building.

TALKS

On Saturday morning talks were held on site between the Fire Brigade, District Council and representatives of the owner. They decided some of the gable ends, part of the roof and some of the facade should be demolished for safety.

Internally, many parts of the hotel were extensively damaged, including the reception area, Jacobean staircase and the lift-shaft. The lift had crashed to the ground. The top storey's were the worst affected, although fire doors had prevented the blaze reaching some of the rooms.

Forensic experts from the Home Office were due to start their examination yesterday (Tuesday) to try to establish the cause of the blaze.

Flames shoot through the roof of Deal's Queen's Hotel during the height of the blaze in the early hours of Thursday.

FIRE WAS 'GREAT SHOCK' TO OWNER

Senior detectives called in to investigate the blaze which gutted the Queen's Hotel say they know exactly where it started - but they are not revealing any more details until forensic experts have completed their investigations.

Extra police officers were drafted in to Deal on Thursday to make house-to-house inquiries in the seafront area to find out if anyone heard or saw anything suspicious in the early hours.

A group of teenagers who were seen nearby when the blaze was first noticed had their names and addresses taken by the police. But since then, detectives have been busy investigating the background to the Queen's Hotel.

They have studied a series of cuttings from the East Kent Mercury files on the history of the hotel, and have also spoken to senior officials in the District Council's Planning Department and the chairman of the Planning Committee, Cllr. George Aslett, about the planning controversy that has surrounded the building in recent years.

WANTON

They have contacted some of the past owners of the hotel, and are waiting to talk to the present owner, local building contractor and developer Mr. Arthur Letheren, when he returns from holiday in Spain next week.

A statement, issued on Mr. Letheren's behalf, explained that Mr. Letheren went to Spain on Tuesday last week following a "useful meeting" with the Planning Committee the previous day, when his proposals for the redevelopment of the site were discussed.

Mr. Letheren had been told of the fire, and the news came as a great shock, says the statement. "We understand it may have been started deliberately and wish to express our condemnation in the strongest terms at such a wanton and purposeless act of vandalism.

"We are relieved that nobody was injured and wish to express our praise and thanks to the Fire Brigade for their efforts to control the blaze and minimise the effects of the fire." The statement emphasises that the fire damage will have complicated the task of demolition, but will not effect the plans.

Small parts of the building had been taken down to ensure the safety of passers-by, but no further demolition would be carried out until permission was granted.

"We do not feel our planning application will be effected by the results of the fire, but that it will be considered on its merits by the Planning Committee, and particularly following our informal meeting with the committee, we are confident of a favourable decision."

The application, and a report on the informal meeting, will come before the Planning Committee next Thursday, April 23.

OTHERS

In the meantime, detectives area continuing their enquiries into the fire at the "Queen's, and also into other unexplained fires in Deal in recent months.

These include the blaze which destroyed Denne's former depot at Queen Street on March 28, a fire last year which caused extensive damage to a storeroom and flat behind a wine merchants' shop in the High Street, and a fire which destroyed a stolen motor-cycle in Woolworth's car park off Wellington Road. All four of these fires were in a fairly small area.

Outside that area, but also under police investigation, is the blaze which destroyed two huts at the Charles Sports Ground earlier in March.

Above:- The charred remains of the hotel's main stairway.

Above:- A fire officer examines the wrecked interior of the hotel.

From the East Kent Mercury, 14 May, 1981.

THE QUEEN'S BLAZE WAS 'VANDALISM'.

Detectives investigating the fire which caused extensive damage to the Queen's Hotel on Deal seafront five weeks ago now say they believe it was an act of vandalism.

Detective inspector Brian Flood, in charge of the investigation, said this week: "We take the view that the fire was an act of vandalism which got out of control."

He confirmed that the blaze was believed to have started in a small pile of rubbish at the foot of the lift shaft. The shaft then acted like a chimney, spreading the flames to the rest of the building.

"There is no evidence that any liquid agent was used to assist the spread of the fire," said Det Insp Flood.

Police Officers who arrived at the scene shortly after the fire was discovered, in the early hours of Thursday, April 9th, spoke to a group of young youths who were seen in the area, and took their names and addresses.

From the East Kent Mercury, 25 June, 1981.

INQUIRY INTO HOTEL PLAN.

The Queen's Hotel, on Deal seafront, is to be subject of a public enquiry. Mr. Michael Heseltine, Environment Secretary, has ordered the enquiry following an application from Mr. Arthur Letheren to demolish the building.

Mr. Letheren, who wants to demolish the hotel and build luxury flats on the site, has asked Dover-Deal MP, Mr. Peter Rees, to intervene. Mr. Rees has said he will take up the matter with the Department of Environment.

The date for the public enquiry has not yet been fixed nor the venue. It is anticipated the enquiry will take two days to complete and, due to the public interest, will be held in Deal, possibly at the "Quarterdeck."

The Queen's was built in 1892 for the Old South Eastern Railway to the design of James Brook, a great Victorian church architect.

The Department of the Environment says it wants to satisfy itself on the structural condition of the property and the possibility of its restoration.

Relevant to this, say the Department, is the intrinsic architectural and historic importance of the hotel and the contribution it makes to the character of the Conservation Area.

UNSAFE

The Queen's was virtually destroyed by fire some weeks ago and since then has been declared unsafe by the District Council. making the property safe to passing traffic and  pedestrians has involved a huge scaffolding programme and has cost Mr. Letheren more than £50,000.

Mr. Letheren told the East Kent Mercury yesterday (Wednesday): "The new block of luxury flats would make a valuable contribution to the council's rate fund and the residents an equally valuable contribution to Deal's economy. There have been many enquiries for flats on Queen's site."

From the East Kent Mercury, 13 January, 1982.

QUEEN'S TO COME DOWN

WHITHALL AGREES ON DEMOLITION

The Department of the Environment has given permission for the "Queen's Hotel," on Deal seafront, to be demolished - but has refused permission for the plan to build 40 flats on the site. The Department has also refused permission for the demolition of Marine Lodge, in Deal Castle Road. The decision has been welcomed by Mr. Arthur Letheren and his partner, Mr. Trevor Smith. "This is just what we wanted," says Mr. Letheren.

The decision follows the two-day public enquiry in September, conducted by Mr. C. F. Allan, into the application for demolition of the hotel.

The hotel, built at the end of the last century was badly damaged by fire last April.

In his report. Mr. Allan says the value of the building is more historic than architectural and he emphasises the proposed development has some striking merits. It is, he says, a highly imaginative conception.

The Inspector said; "There is a clear ambivalence of informed opinion as to the contribution made by the Queen's to the conservation area and the character of the locality generally. It "bullies", it was said, almost everything in sight, I agree. But for nearly a hundred years it had boldly terminated the terraces of Victoria Parade and the long vista from the south as a powerful landmark observed by some, it appears, with an affectionate revulsion.

"However, there is no doubt about the importance of the site which is a pivot on the long seaside parade where the castle separates the seafronts of Walmer and Deal. For this reason and because of the neighbouring terraces of Deal Castle Road, Ranelagh Road and Victoria Parade, the site is a sensitive one as well as a conspicuous one, but the design of the "Queen's Hotel" is largely unresponsive to these sensitivities and its contribution in this respect I find it unworthy in the present terms of architectural and townscape design.

POSSIBILITY

"The evidence strongly suggests that conversion to offices or restoration for use as a modern hotel may be discounted, but conversion to residential uses such as flats or homes for the elderly is a clear possibility and the site is particularly well located for such uses.

"The evidence also suggests that earlier proposals for conversion to flats, even with the sacrifice of Marine Lodge to allow for new extensions, have failed to materialise. Undoubtedly, this is owing, in part, to the height of the rooms, and the basic plan of the building and the fenestration, which are not easily adapted to modern uses.

"On the other hand the allegedly profitable scheme for conversion to private homes for the elderly has received planning permission and the prospective developer, Mr. Evans, appears willing and anxious to proceed if he could acquire the building at the right price. This would be an admirable use, the building, or at least its facade would be preserved, the location is excellent and East Kent is well-known for such projects. The question is whether it is now a realistic proposal."

The Inspector said the proposed redevelopment scheme had some striking merits. It was a highly imaginative conception providing 40 small homes in a most acceptable and attractive living environment, and was a thoughtfully designed building characteristic of its time with a most interesting form and profile.

"Nevertheless, I have serious doubts as to its suitability for this prominent and sensitive location. It might well be said, for example, that at the pivot point at the turn of Victoria Parade into Deal Castle Road, where a show of strength or a positive motive might be needed, the building steps down to a low level in a show of weakness.

"Indeed, from a distant view, where the "Queen's Hotel" serves so well, I fear the stepped down storeys, the raking roof lines and the almost free-standing lift tower and dome might give the impression of a well-constructed ruin when seen against the trim and regular lines of the adjoining terraces. But more importantly, by raising to its maximum height of about 19.7m with a stout overhang on its top storeys on 15.5m from the south-facing windows of the terrace houses on Ranelagh Road, it "bullies" these houses as much as does the "Queen's Hotel."

"It appears that there are living rooms in the semi-basements as well as the ground floors of these houses and I believe they will be seriously deprived of daylight as well as sunlight.

The report ended: "Having concluded that planning permission should not be given for the redevelopment as proposed, and that in these circumstances consent should not be given for the demolition of Marine Lodge, the question of the "Queen's Hotel" remains.

REVISE

"The applicants affirm that if their redevelopment proposals are not given permission they will revise them, although they also affirm that without the site of Marine Lodge it would not be worthwhile. In either event the Queen's would lie exposed to the weather and would rapidly deteriorate further. I am aware that the cost of covering the building would entail an extensive and expensive support system especially in such an exposed position. This appears to me to be an unreasonably heavy financial burden to place on the owners.

"I also find it unrealistic to accept the argument that all the financial consequences of the file could be expected to be fully met by successful insurance claims. Further, it appears to me that the prospects of a ready and reasonable sale to a developer who would make a financially successful conversion to an acceptable use is fairly remote. The object in any event, would simply be the retention of a facade of controversial architectural merit which would need a good deal of expensive restoration.

From the East Kent Mercury, 11 August, 1982.

THE END OF THE QUEEN'S

AND JOE IS DEAD TOO.

In the week when Deal's Queen's Hotel was finally demolished came news of the death of one of its best-known managers. Mr. Joe Stryczek.

Mr. Stryczek died in his native Poland. He was 71 and leaves a widow, two children and grandchildren.

Mr. Stryczek had six years as a director-manager at the "Queen's," and after that was manager at the "Granville Hotel," St. Margaret's Bay. He returned to Poland on retirement in January 1981.

He fought with the Polish Army against Germany in 1939 and escaped by way of Romania and Turkey to join the British Army in the Middle East.

He took part in the Desert Campaign against Rommel and, with the Polish Corps under the legendary General Anders, fought in the epic battle for Monte Cassino.

From the East Kent Mercury, 14 September, 1983.

QUEEN'S SITE PLANS GET GO-AHEAD - AT LAST

Development plans for the former "Queen's Hotel" site on Deal seafront have been given the go-ahead at last.

After an amazing attack on the architects by one counsellor, the Planning Committee gave permission for six town houses, 44 flats, a coffee lounge and basement car park on the site.

But they want talks with the applicants, A. A. Horner, Ltd. of Folkestone, over the window designs which Cllr. Mrs. Gwladys Payne described as "zany and alien."

The counsellors had already had talks with architects John Clague Ltd. and had made comments on their original plans.

Looking at the latest designs, Cllr Noland Sargent asked why the architects couldn't submit a "simple" plan which would merge with the rest of the seafront.

"It could be an hotel, which Deal sadly lacks," he said. Their imagination should have gone a bit further than this.

They look like chicken houses - perhaps they will be used for intensive rearing."

Planning Director Mr. David Stuart said the committee had raised several points which, in his view, the applicant had complied with.

Cllr. Mrs. Payne then launched her attack.

"I find it most extraordinary that the architect could be so insensitive to criticism of he design," she said.

"He must have taken umbrage and this must be the reason for this noughts and crosses effect.

"It is zany and alien and how anyone could have done anything so daft I don't know.

"The ridiculous portholes and triangles ruin it. He meets us part way and then sticks in some more.

"I don't like the little square, big triangle, little square, big triangle. It's revolting."

Mr. Stuart said that the problem was that individual committee members "like officers" had their own view on how the designs could be improved.

"The point we have got to accept is that there are certain basics - scale, massing and materials - which you have discussed with the architect and he has met.

"I think he is entitled to have a formal decision on his applications.

"Whether some of these details are sufficient for you to oppose the scheme I would suggest they are not."

The applicant was concerned about the delay, he said, and he had submitted an identical application so that if it was refused he could lodge an appeal but continue negotiations to get over the council's objections.

"He may feel your requirements change from meeting to meeting," said Mr. Stuart.

Council Chairman Cllr. Walter Robertson said he found the amended designs more appealing than the original plan.

"I find it a bit massive and I think it will look a little heavier than the rest of Prince of Wales Terrace," he said.

Cllr. Mrs. Payne still maintained the windows looked "funny and silly."

And Cllr David Gledhill said all they were talking about was aesthetics. "I think the design is exciting and imaginative."

Cllr Mrs. Payne commented; "I don't think it's imaginative. The first one was imaginative.... imagination gone wrong."

The committee approved the plans, but reserved its approval of the window design so that further negotiations could take place.

From the Dover Mercury, 1 September , 2011. 70p

HISTORY SOCIETY PANS PROPOSAL FOR HOTEL SITE

TWENTY-FIVE years ago plans to develop the site of the old Queen's Hotel were criticised by the Deal Society as being unsympathetic to its surroundings.

Proposals for the key seafront site of the once imposing building were being considered by the district council's planning committee.

Faced with the Deal Society's criticism, councillors were told that the architects responded saying they were "fully aware of the site's history".

The block of flats that replaced the hotel is called The Queens after the building it replaced, though it began life with a different identity.

"South Eastern Hotel" was built in 1892 for the South Eastern Railway Company after the railway line had been connected to Deal, making seaside holidays more accessible and accommodation more in demand.

Designed by church architect James Brooks, it was his largest secular building.

Local builder James West built the 62-bedroom hotel, which was renamed the "Queen's Hotel" after the Railway Company sold the building. It finally closed for business in 1977.

On Thursday, April 9, 1981, a mystery blaze swept through the building in the early bows of the morning and fire-fighters were at the scene for more than 24 hours.

Photographer Basil Kidd captured the drama and his pictures are featured in Basil's Deal, by Judith Gaunt.

Forensic experts were called to the former hotel and eventually detectives decided the blaze was "an act of vandalism which got out of control".

Ownership of the land changed several times over the years. There were opposing views on whether to retain or demolish the building and various plans were submitted, including one to convert it into an old people's home.

In September, 1981 a public inquiry was held to consider an application to demolish the building. Permission was given, new plans were approved and eventually in 1989 "that black hole", as one district councillor called it, was erased and building began to once again change the skyline on Deal seafront.