THE fate of the Clarendon Royal Hotel could be sealed with a conversion into 21 luxury flats.

Planning applications have been made to Gravesham Council to turn the Grade II Listed building into apartments.

But historians are concerned the archaeological features of the Royal Pier Road building will be lost if work goes ahead.

A consultation into the planning applications is taking place this month.

Concerns about protecting the 340-year-old building's heritage have already been raised.

A date has yet to be set for the applications to be considered.

If approved, a developer would convert the hotel into one and two-bedroom flats and build 21 car parking spaces in Clarendon Gardens.

Applicant Longthorne Property Investment Ltd is seeking listed building consent for the proposed alterations.

A separate affordable housing development by developer Affinity would also be built next to the hotel, creating 30 more flats and car parking spaces.

The Thames-side hotel closed in 2004 after being sold to developers.

Gravesend Historical Society secretary Sandra Soder has told the council further assessments of the area should be carried out before work goes ahead.

She says society members have raised concerns about the possibility of important archaeological features, such as medieval ditches, being hidden and lost forever if building went ahead.

Thames Defence Heritage chairman Victor Smith also wants to protect the hotel's architecture.

He questions why developers did not continue using the building as a hotel.

Mr Smith says Gravesend needs hotels if it is to attract tourists.

He said: "I am not thumping a drum but I am concerned about ensuring the archaeological and historical integrity of the site.

"I would be sad to see a break in tradition of the site as a hotel."

Mrs Soder added: "A great concern would be something might be inadvertently lost.

"There should be a proper examination of the possibility of things being hidden inside."

The project is a partnership between tp bennett architects, bennett urban planning and Longthorne Property Investment Ltd.

Bennett urban planning director Mike Ibbott said: "There is quite a high potential at the site and none of the works we are doing impact it.

"It's really about breathing new life into the building."



Clarendon Fact File

THE Clarendon Royal Hotel lies on the banks of the Thames.

It was a popular destination with both tourists and heritage lovers.

The hotel takes its name from Lord Clarendon, a former foreign secretary who used the building as a town house.

The building was originally built for King James II before it was converted to a hotel in the mid-19th Century.

The Clarendon currently has 15 bedrooms, a plush honeymoon suite and a function room for weddings and other special occasions.

It is a Grade II Listed building, limiting the amount of development which can take place.

As the building is listed any potential buyers would have to preserve its original appearance.