Folkestone’s planning authority has rejected a bid to convert the former Devonshire House Hotel into a five-storey, six-bedroom home, citing concerns over the loss of tourism facilities and the need for evidence of market interest in retaining the historic building.

Historic Building Faces Preservation Challenges

The Devonshire House Hotel, located at 7 Marine Parade, ceased trading in 2008 due to declining tourism and became commercially unviable. Since then, the building has been largely abandoned, with parts of it converted into residential properties in 2012. The remaining section, number 7, has been vacant for nearly 20 years.

The property was taken over by the owner of the adjacent Gran Canaria Hotel, Cesar Benitez, but has not been integrated into his business. Instead, Benitez submitted a plan to convert the building into a residential home with five floors, one parking space, and no private garden.

The proposal was submitted in December 2023 and outlined a development that would transform the historic site into a private residence. However, the Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) has rejected the application, stating that the loss of visitor accommodation could have a detrimental impact on the local tourism economy.

Planning Officers Cite Policy Conflicts

Planning officers highlighted that the application did not adequately address the potential negative impact on the tourism sector. They emphasized that the proposal contradicts development plan policies aimed at preserving the area’s character and economic vitality.

The report states, ‘The application particulars fail to demonstrate that the loss of visitor accommodation would not have a detrimental impact on the local tourism economy.’ It also noted that FHDC requires evidence that the property has been marketed at a reasonable rate for 12 months, which the applicant has not provided.

Benitez’s team argued that the conversion would help preserve the historic building and contribute to the district’s housing supply. ‘This proposal addresses the need to secure the long-term preservation of a heritage asset while adding to the district’s housing supply and regeneration objectives,’ the documents stated.

They also claimed the conversion from a commercially unviable hotel to residential use would ensure the building’s long-term preservation and strengthen the ‘visual and economic character’ of the road.

Previous Rejection and Fire History

This is not the first time Benitez’s proposal has been rejected. A similar application was denied in November 2023 by the same authorities. The building itself has a storied history, with reports of a significant fire in 2002 that forced guests out of their rooms and required the efforts of eight fire engines and 55 firefighters to contain for over two hours.

The Devonshire House Hotel was originally constructed in 1848 as part of a terrace of four townhouses, including 4-7 Marine Parade. During the mid-20th century, the site was converted into two separate hotels: the Devonshire House Hotel and the Gran Canaria Hotel. Number 7 was later linked internally to numbers 8 and 9 to form the Devonshire House Hotel.

Despite being purchased by the owner of the Gran Canaria Hotel, number 7 has never been brought back into active hotel use. The latest rejection by FHDC highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing heritage preservation with modern development needs.

The Gran Canaria Hotel has been contacted for comment, but no response has been received as of yet. The decision highlights the tension between private development interests and the need to maintain the area’s historical and economic character.