Summary of the HCS Executive Committee’s Comments on the Hythe Imperial Hotel and Golf Course Proposals

Shortly before the public consultation last November, GSE, the hotel owners, invited HCS representatives to a briefing. We listened and raised our concerns. Subsequently, and after further consideration, and taking account of a small number of members’ comments received, our full comments were submitted. A short summary follows for your interest. It remains to be seen when a planning application is submitted and of the timing of further public consultation.

Key Point

The HCS Executive Committee has serious concerns about the proposed redevelopment of the Hythe Imperial Hotel and Golf Course. While the committee engaged constructively with GSE supports investment in the hotel in principle, the scheme as presented is unacceptable. There follows a summary of the principal concerns.

Heritage and Town Setting

The eastern end golf course proposals would cause irreversible harm to Hythe’s historic character by removing the open golf course landscape and severing long-established views between the town, escarpment and seafront. This would fundamentally alter the historic setting of the town and its appreciation from the beachfront would most likely be obliterated – this iconic vista is the only location from which the town’s original location, changed by the silting-up of Hythe Haven, can be fully seen.

Imperial Hotel

Investment in the hotel is welcomed, but the proposed extensions are architecturally weak and unsympathetic to this landmark building. The new swimming pool raises concerns: public access is unclear, a 20-metre pool is inadequate, and it would not be a satisfactory replacement for a true public facility.

Residential Development

The housing is over-intensive, with insufficient clarity on height and massing. Impacts on the Royal Military Canal are inadequately addressed. Increased traffic would worsen existing congestion, particularly on Twiss Road, and there is uncertainty over the amount and delivery of affordable housing.

Golf Course

There is strong local opposition to the loss of the historic golf course landscape. While new leisure and public facilities are supported in principle, their location must be permanently protected from future development through robust legal safeguards, such as vesting the land with a community trust.

Site-Wide Issues

Significant concerns remain about infrastructure capacity, flood risk, and very lengthy major construction impacts, including prolonged and significant soil importation. Any construction traffic must avoid Twiss Road and as part of any planning application submissions must be governed by a publicly scrutinised Construction Management Plan, for consideration and approval by the full planning committee.