A FORMER hotel near Dunoon, which has lain empty for more than five years, could be turned into a residential development under plans submitted to council officers.
The Hunters Quay Hotel, on Marine Parade, closed during the initial Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020 and has never reopened.
The premises, said to have been compared by locals to Fawlty Towers after the famous sitcom, was listed for auction in August 2024.
A change of use application for planning permission has now been submitted to Argyll and Bute Council by Jugurtha Kezzim, with Rebecchi Architectural being the planning agent.
No planning or design and access statement has yet beenmadeavailableaspart of the suite of documents with the application, with only plans and drawings available to date.
The public can now view the plans and submit feedback to the council’s planning officers, with a ruling expected by early September.
The Boutique Hotelier website said of the premises in August 2024: “The Hunter Quay Hotel near Dunoon, which locals have compared to Fawlty Towers, has been shuttered since March 2020 when it closed during the pandemic and has never reopened.
“Previously a three-star property, the Victorian hotel comprises 10 bedrooms, lounge bar, and 12-seater dining room, plus a self- contained owner’s two bedroom apartment.
“The building dates to 1865 and was previously owned by Sir Thomas Lipton, who founded the Lipton Tea brand.
“The hotel occupies a 0.42- acre site and offers over 4,000 square feet of living space with the interior featuring numerous ornate elements, particularly in the stairwell and cupola, complemented by high-quality timber and plaster craftsmanship. It was lastrenovatedin2004.”
The sale of the property is said to have been managed by SDL Property Auctions, with a listing on RightMove for £430,000 being taken down by August 2024.
To view the plans and submit feedback, visit the council’s planning portal at argyll-bute.gov.uk and use the reference number 25/01126/PP.
