Redknapp makes third hotel renovation attempt

Former AFC Bournemouth manager Harry Redknapp has made a third attempt to renovate a hotel in Bournemouth into flats and homes.

Bournemouth council have refused two previous attempts made by Mr Redknapp and his wife Sandra as part of Pierfront Developments.

The former hotel, which is located on Old Christchurch Road now hosts 24 bedsits.

The council have cited concerns with the loss of the building on Old Christchurch road and the affect on the East Cliff conservation area, should the hotel be demolished.

Mr Redknapp’s first application was refuted by planning officers in February 2017, whilst a second attempt was rejected in December 2017.

The latest proposal would see the main building converted into 14 flats and the coach house would be demolished and replaced by five mews houses.

Buzz spoke to grandson of the hotel owner and maintenance man, Stewart Hunt, about the proposed plans.

Stewart explained how the hotel lost a lot of business in in the 90s until his, “nan span it around” and got the hotel back on track.

Words by Jonathan Nagioff