‘Peace and quiet is our only solace’ - Hotel neighbours object to outdoor cabin proposals
Cliff Hotel, Gorleston. Picture: Jamie Honeywood - Credit: Archant
Neighbours of a seafront hotel have objected to a set of expansion plans they say will “affect their quality of life”.
Odette Martin (left), resident of Grenfell Court's retirement estate, sits with Paula Bishop, who lives with her 89-year-old mother also at Grenfell Court. Photo: Odette Martin - Credit: Archant
The Cliff Hotel in Gorleston submitted plans to Great Yarmouth Borough Council on July 3 to build seven garden cabins “overlooking the sea”.
According to the application, some of these will be “interconnected for families” - and will take advantage of “unused grass/land at the rear of the hotel”.
The plans also outline that two full-time and two part-time employees would be created in the process.
In the hotel’s design and access statement, it says the cabins would “not have a detrimental impact” on nearby homes.
The proposed cabins next to Grenfell Court, which are being objected to by residents of the court. Photo: Envision CAD, Norwich - Credit: Archant
It said: “Adjacent properties are a fair distance away from the proposals, therefore would not have a detrimental impact on them.
“The work will be built by local tradesmen, where possible via locally sourced materials which will be highly insulated to conserve energy.”
The hotel refused to comment on the plans, but residents of Grenfell Court, a retirement complex run by Cotman Housing Association next to the hotel, and whose properties will be overlooking the cabins, say the proposal will spoil their view, generate noise pollution and disrupt their “quiet and peaceful retirement”.
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Odette Martin, 58, said all 22 residents of Grenfell Court strongly object to the development and have signed a letter which was hand-delivered to the council’s planning department.
The view from Grenfell Court near Gorleston's Cliff Hotel. Residents of the court think that new proposals for seven cabins beneath their properties would "spoil their way of life", which is already compromised by a smoking terrace just along from them. Photo: Odette Martin - Credit: Archant
“The estate where we live is a housing association only open to people over 55,” she said.
“There are a lot of elderly and disabled residents, and for them the peace, quiet and cliffside view is their only solace.
“These proposed cabins may be looking directly into some of our windows, and that would massively affect residents’ privacy.
“Some people here are wheelchair bound. Imagine being confronted by noise and strangers constantly by seven noisy holiday cabins right below you? It’s not fair.”
The view from Grenfell Court near Gorleston's Cliff Hotel. Residents of the court think that new proposals for seven cabins beneath their properties would "spoil their way of life". Photo: Odette Martin - Credit: Archant
Ms Martin, who lives with her 71-year-old husband, is originally from London, but moved to Gorleston as part of Boris Johnson’s ‘Seaside and Country homes’ scheme when he was mayor. This encouraged older people to retire outside of London as a way of freeing up housing space in the capital.
She said: “We’ve worked hard to retire here and we want our peace respected.”
A decision will be made on the outcome of the application by August 28.
Grenfell Court's residents handed in an objection letter to Great Yarmouth Council's planning department. Photo: Odette Martin - Credit: Archant
