A planning battle looms over a resurrected bid to build apartments on land that was once part of a Victorian hotel. 

Retirement housing company McCarthy Stone is seeking permission from North Norfolk District Council to build 41 one and two-bedroom apartments at The Esplanade in Sheringham.

The site was once part of the Grand Hotel which was demolished in 1974. Since then, it has remained vacant except for intermittent use as a car park. 

In papers submitted with the application, the developer said the apartments, which are designed for older people, would revitalize a parcel of land that has remained undeveloped and vacant for many years.

An artist’s impression of McCarthy Stone’s proposals for The Esplanade, Sheringham. An artist’s impression of McCarthy Stone’s proposals for The Esplanade, Sheringham. (Image: McCarthy Stone)

So far, five people have sent objections to the council's planning department. 

Their main concern is the design of the building - a four-storey block consisting of red and grey bricks. 

A man living on Links Road, who referred to himself as "a retired, award-winning architect", said he was "seriously disappointed" with the design of the proposed building.

"It simply isn't good enough. Such a prime seaside location deserves better."

The colours are "ugly and oppressive" and the design "lacks imagination", he added. 

A resident of Seaview Crescent said the design looked "like Portacabins stacked on top of each other".

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A person living on St Nicholas Place echoed those sentiments, calling the proposal "bland" and "disappointing".

On Knowle Rd, a resident said Sheringham "deserves better than a scheme driven purely by profit at the expense of the local community".

Richard Shepherd, Sheringham town councillor, is also objecting. He said the flats would "obstruct the wonderful view" of the Marble Arch and the seascape from the War Memorial - "which is the last thing our soldiers saw of their hometown before their awful deaths".

A decision on bid is expected by September 19.

The Grand Hotel in Sheringham. The building was demolished in 1974. The Grand Hotel in Sheringham. The building was demolished in 1974. (Image: Archant Library)

History of the site 

The site of the proposed development is currently vacant land that was previously part of The Grand Hotel. 

The hotel was built during Victorian times and designed by Norwich architect Herbert John Green.  

During the 1960s, with the rise in popularity of overseas holidays, the hotel fell into decline and was demolished in 1974. 

Three years later, planning permission was granted for the redevelopment of the hotel into 55 residential apartments and garages. 

The first two apartment blocks were constructed to the west of the site. 

However, the development of the third block on the application site was never constructed and the site has remained vacant since then, other than for intermittent use as a seasonal paid car park.