Developer unveils plan to demolish Sandbanks hotel

Developers say they intend to demolish a landmark seaside hotel on the exclusive Sandbanks peninsula in 2027, but have not said what will replace it.

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

Planning Strategy Ltd has asked Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) whether prior permission is required for the method of demolition, which it intends to begin 1 October 2027.

A public consultation that opened on Monday has already attracted dozens of objections.

The application to BCP by Pure Town Planning, on behalf of Planning Strategy, states the demolition of the hotel and neighbouring business centre is classed as "permitted development", adding: "The scope of the authority's consideration... extends only to the method of demolition and any proposed restoration of the site."

It says "no justification for the demolition is required" but states: "The buildings are dated, energy inefficient and, in the case of the hotel, the product of successive unrelated extensions.

"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.

"Demolition and the securing of the site is the responsible course."

More than 50 people have objected to the plan, with one describing it as "nothing short of vandalism".

No proposals have been submitted for what will be built on the 2.5-acre (1ha) site.

Previous plans by FJB Hotels and developer Fortitudo, to replace the hotel with flats, 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.

Haven Hotel is continuing to accept bookings for the 2027 summer season.