Britannia was forced to request for retrospective planning approval in June to demolish the Grade II-listed former “Lion Mansion Hotel” at the Royal Albion’s western end.

However, planning officers rejected the plans because there were “no plans for a replacement development”.

The hotel fire in July 2023(Image: The Argus)

According to the officer, this might cause “substantial harm to heritage assets and their setting” and “creates an unsightly and prominent gap in a highly visible location”.

According to the assessment, the building was significant prior to the fire because of its exceptional architectural and historic interest, as well as its relationship with previous Prime Minister William Gladstone.

“The application site is located in the Valley Gardens Conservation Area, at the intersection of Grand Junction Road and Pool Valley.

“This retrospective application seeks to regularise the demolition of the building on this site, under emergency conditions in the interests of safety, following substantial fire damage to the western wing of the Royal Albion Hotel (previously Lion Mansion Hotel) in July 2023.

This application cannot be processed until both the redevelopment contract and planning permission for the new development are in place. “In the absence of an acceptable redevelopment scheme alongside these applications such a condition cannot be applied.”

According to the investigation, the demolition was carried out under “emergency conditions” in March, and “it would not have been possible to safely make good areas damaged by the fire”.

“Given the clear and extensive fire damage and the need to protect public safety it is accepted that demolition of the Lion Mansion Hotel was necessary,” according to the report.

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