Developers face a first round defeat in their bid to knock down a former seafront hotel and build 34 flats in a six-storey replica building.

Roffey Homes wants to demolish the Eardley Hotel, overlooking Splash Point, Worthing, to make way for the apartments and underground parking.

The Worthing-based company has received widespread acclaim for constructing the neighbouring art deco-style Warnes housing complex on the site of the old Warnes Hotel, which was ravaged by fire in 1987.

But proposals for the Eardley, which dates back to the 19th century, have been criticised by planners who are urging borough councillors to reject the scheme when they meet on Thursday (April 19).

A report warned that planners were not satisfied that the loss of the old hotel, a locally listed building in a conservation area, could be justified.

It was also feared the replacement building was too big and bulky and would detract from the character and appearance of the seafront.

However, Roffey was given hope by planners who said they had some sympathy with the developer's arguments in favour of a residential scheme, but further talks were needed.

The Eardley had been used as a management training and conference centre in recent years but is now closed and empty.

Studies had shown that any attempt to reopen the hotel, once used for the filming of the comedy Men Behaving Badly, would fail.

English Heritage said: "Although not the best example of a seaside hotel of the period, it is one of the few now remaining along the seafront that evokes the town's past, a frontage that has been severely emasculated.

"The building retains many of its original features externally and various parts of the building that have been lost can be reinstated."

The conservation group said it was surprised that the developers had ruled out conversion of the existing Eardley into flats.

The Worthing Society conservation group said it regretted the loss of the original building but supported plans to replicate the building, stating that it would provide a landmark of distinction and quality.

The council received 20 objections to the plans, including some from residents of the Warnes.

There was also concern about the impact of heavy lorries using Warwick Road, and parking problems.

Planners also received 32 letters of support for the scheme, with one stating: "This end of town has long needed a facelift and with the new Warnes development now finished and looking very smart the existing Eardley is looking tired and dilapidated."

Another commented: "This development would further enhance Worthing's reputation and would add another seafront jewel to match the Warnes and Dome complex."

The Eardley is owned by the Clinch family, which also runs the Chatsworth Hotel in nearby Steyne Gardens.

Funds from the sale of the site would be used to upgrade the Chatsworth, which would otherwise "slowly decline and could be forced to close".

Roffey said it would also provide affordable housing in Lyndhurst Road as part of the deal.

Ben Cheal, managing director of Roffey, said the application was likely to be deferred rather than refused so more talks on the scale of the proposed building could be held.

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