JANE AUSTEN FANS' FURY AT PLANS TO TURN HOTEL INTO STUDENT FLATS

Jane Austen fans are set to lose their fight to save a historic hotel where the novelist spent her 18th birthday as plans to turn it into student flats are given the go ahead.

Austenites hit out at the controversial proposal and said they were 'disappointed' to learn of the 'depressing' decision to turn the hotel where she spent her birthday into student flats.

Plans to transform the Grade II listed Dolphin Hotel in Southampton, Hants, received a backlash from Pride and Prejudice devotees when they were first announced. 

An Austen fan club - and literary lovers from as far as the USA - objected to the plans in an effort to preserve the 'rich history' that the 500 year old building has.

But they failed in their bid of persuasion and planning officers have recommended plans to turn it into 99 student rooms.

The hotel in Southampton was regularly frequented by the Sense and Sensibility author and it was where she spent her 18th birthday on December 16, 1793.

Dr Cheryl Butler, who set up a historical theatrical group named after Austen's favourite actress, accused Southampton City Council of neglecting its heritage.

Speaking today, Dr Butler said: 'It's pretty depressing. I despair at the planning officers in Southampton.

'Everyone is disappointed but not surprised.

'I just think if this had been made more widely known earlier, there could have been more time to come up with an alternative.

'We had very little time to do anything but put in an objection.

'You think if the city was keen on its heritage, it would have put out an appeal to people to see if there was someone that could have done something with it, but it's just taking the easiest option.'

Dr Butler added: 'We as a society are constantly saying we need to do more about the heritage, but then when it actually comes down to it, it doesn't translate into doing anything.'

Dr Butler also took issue with the suggestion that part of the student accommodation will feature a 'museum or interpretation centre'.

The group's founder said it 'very much feels like lip service'.

Dr Butler makes no criticism of students but said there are already 'lots' of student buildings.

'I just hope the students appreciate what they have got there', she added.

Dr Butler set up the Sarah Siddons Fan Club, which is a historical re-enactment theatre company named after Austen's favourite actress.

Member Norma Mackey previously criticised proposals. She said: 'I think they have shot themselves in the foot because they will lose a gem,' she added.

'If it goes, Southampton has lost quite a lot of its heritage. It's disrespectful to the architect that designed it.'

Comedian and author David Baddiel, an ambassador of the author's Hampshire home museum, previously said Austen's heritage needs preserving.

He said: 'I agree that important elements of our history that are about great artists - and I do very much think that Jane Austen is a great artist, and very under-rated even though she's so popular - should be preserved, and I would be very happy about preserving anything that Jane Austen is involved with.'

Baddiel also stressed the importance of student accommodation.

He said: 'At the same time, students need accommodation. So for me, if there was a way of preserving within the halls of residence a tiny corner at least saying, 'This is where Jane Austen danced when she was 18', that would make me happy.'

Not only is it steeped in Austen history, but the hotel was visited by Queen Victoria and Admiral Lord Nelson.

A Southampton City Council planning officer's report, which recommended granting the application, said the principle of a student residential development was considered acceptable and supported given the 'established need' in the city.

The report said: 'The concerns raised by third parties about the loss of this important and attractive hotel with a strong tourist draw is well articulated.

'However, the planning system, and our adopted development plan, doesn't protect the Dolphin Hotel from closure and the council cannot insist that an unviable business remains open.

'The council cannot insist that an existing hotel provides public access to certain parts of its demise.

'The Dolphin Hotel is currently closed and in need of investment.'

The council's planning committee will sign off on the plans at a meeting this month.

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2024-07-03T12:54:09Z dg43tfdfdgfd