East Cowes: Norris Castle luxury hotel plans refused

Plans to turn a Grade I listed castle on the Isle of Wight into a 74-room luxury hotel have been turned down.

Developers wanted to convert Norris Castle near East Cowes, which has stood derelict for decades, along with its farmhouse and disused farm buildings.

The plans included a spa with accommodation, swimming pool, gym, café restaurant and a resort complex.

It was refused by Isle of Wight Council at its planning committee meeting on Tuesday.

Refusing the large-scale plans the authority said the proposals would cause a high degree of harm to the castle, other buildings on the estate and its park and gardens.

The council's vice chairman, Karl Love said: "The application would have created a giant building site across the whole of the estate, having a huge impact upon this Grade I listed landscape and the setting in which the castle and other important heritage buildings sit.

"Now this application has been dismissed we wait to see what happens next.

"However, we are certain from the independent survey reports that the castle is not going to collapse down the hillside."

The 76-hectare estate, owned by Wellington Estates since late 2015, includes two Grade I listed buildings and eight Grade II listed buildings and structures. The BBC has contacted the firm for comment.

The estate sits next door to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's former royal residence, Osborne House.

The castle was designed by James Wyatt and built in c1799 - 1804 as a marine villa for the retired politician Lord Henry Seymour.

The castle and farm are on Historic England's Heritage at Risk register due to their poor condition and need for extensive repairs.

Under the listing, Historic England states it is working with representatives of the owners to address repairs in both the short and long term.

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