Colchester: Plans for change of use to East Gate Inn withdrawn

The proposed development site was situated in East Gate Inn, Harwich Road.

Proposals had been submitted to Colchester Council to transform the site into a house in multiple occupation (HMO).

Formerly known as The Clarendon, East Gate Inn is a two-storey guest house thought to have opened in the 18th century.

The applicant took on the property's lease in 2015 as a pub, with the upper floor subsequently being altered to provide rooms for the guest house.

According to a supporting statement attached to the application, the bar had closed around six years ago due to “no longer being profitable”, however, the applicant continued running the property as a guest house.

Altogether, the guest house comprises seven ensuite rooms on the first floor and one ensuite room on the ground floor.

A supporting statement attached to the plans said there were no planned changes to the bedroom quantity or external elevations.

However, there were minor internal alterations proposed at ground level to provide a larger shared kitchen and laundry room to the rear of the property. 

The proposals were submitted at the beginning of January and the application was withdrawn on April 12.

Had the application been approved or had not been withdrawn, the proposed new use as an HMO would have used the site's existing space, with four single ensuite rooms and four double ensuite rooms.

Meanwhile, the scheme also proposed a shared kitchen, dining and living facilities at ground level and a private landlords store within the existing basement.

Prior to the plans being withdrawn, an Essex Highways spokesman said the plans were “acceptable” from a highway and transportation perspective, subject to conditions.