Bell Hotel restoration is delayed by planning snags (From Echo)

Bell Hotel restoration is delayed by planning snags

3:00pm Wednesday 1st July 2009 in

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THE restoration of a landmark building in Old Leigh is being held up while final details of the planning permission are approved.

Developer Robin Levy gained permission from Southend Council in November last year for the restoration of the Bell Hotel, Leigh Hill, which has been semi-derelict for nearly 40 years and has not been used as a hotel since the 1930s. After planning permission was approved by the development control committee, Mr Levy said he hoped to be on site in February.

However, spokesman for Mr Levy, Joyce Heath, said: “There are still some minor issues which have to be determined before planning permission can formally be issued.

“Hopefully, it shouldn’t be too long, and we will be able to start work on the restoration of the hotel as soon as possible.”

Under the proposals, the Bell Hotel will be restored as a boutique hotel, with 12 suites, a lounge, bar and management suite.

There will also be 15 flats across three blocks in the grounds, but one of the requirements made by councillors was the hotel needed to be completed before the flats are built.