A landmark hotel in the North East could see its external metal walkways and spiral staircase removed under new renovation plans.
The application has been submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council's planning department for the Grade II-listed Marine Hotel, at The Front, in Seaton Carew. It seeks listed building consent for the "removal of the eroding external high-level metal walkways and spiral staircase" to the side and rear of the hotel.
Unsafe structures
An accompanying heritage and planning statement notes that despite regular maintenance, the structural metal of the walkways and staircase is eroding and the structures have "become unsafe and can no longer be used".
Due to the way the hotel now operates, compared to when the walkways and staircase were originally installed, applicants said "the need for an external escape stair is no longer required".
Restoration works
Planning permission is being sought to remove the "non-original part of the building" and to restore the openings back to windows rather than doorways, alongside additional works.
These include refurbishment works to the front facades of the three dormer windows on the hotel's front elevation, which applicants said have "degraded due to the severe weather off the North Sea". The replacement dormers aim to "provide a better weather resistance and longevity", with u-PVC sliding sash double glazed units proposed.
The heritage and planning statement continues: "There would be little to no impact upon the setting of the hotel within the conservation area with the removal of the 1990s staircase and walkway off the exterior of the listed main building and the re-instating of windows into the two doorway openings, this will revert the hotel back to the original appearance of the Grade II listing."
A ruling on the proposals is anticipated following a public consultation period. For further details, visit the council's planning portal website and search for reference H/2026/0316.
