An ambitious scheme to turn a 17th century hostelry in Bromley Town Centre into a five-star hotel is set to be thrown out by councillors.

More than 100 people have written in support of plans to transform the historic – and neglected – Royal Bell back into a landmark hotel.

Different proposals have been put forward in the last few years, including turning the High Street building into a community centre, but nothing has ever materialised.

The new owners think their proposals will return the prestigious landmark, which had fallen into disrepair,  to its former glory.

Planners at Bromley Council have a different view, recommending the proposals be rejected by councillors at a planning meeting next week.

According to a new report: “The proposed nine storey building, by reason of its excessive height, scale, massing and bulk would appear as an intrusive development, over-dominant and punctuate the skyline in a blunt manner.

“The  scale of the proposed nine storey building also fails to adequately reflect and respect the properties in the surrounding area providing an inharmonious relationship with its surroundings.”

READ MORE: Royal Bell in Bromley to be five-star hotel if plan approved

Officers said the building would “fail to adequately respect the setting and significance” of the town centre conservation area, adding: “The proposal would result in a material and irreversible harm to the heritage assets.”

Planners also said the application failed to show how deliveries would be made or that a coach pick up point could be provided within the existing surroundings.

The hotel was rebuilt in 1898, and is currently vacant after years of being in disrepair.

More than 100 neighbours wrote in support of the fresh plans for the hotel, with one dubbing it a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity.

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If approved, the Royal Bell would become a 50-bed hotel, which would be equipped with a gym and swimming pool.

A nine-storey annex will be constructed next to the hotel, and an existing stable block would be demolished and a new entrance constructed.

The scheme has also been backed by ward councillors Nicola Dykes, Will Harmer and Michael Rutherford.

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Cllr Dykes said: “Whilst as the ward cllrs, we can understand the reasons for refusal given the conservation area and historic importance of the buildings – this must be weighed with the benefits the application could bring to residents and the town centre economy.

“It is very telling that there are 129 public submissions supporting the application and only eight against.

“There is a real passion amongst the community to bring this beautiful building back to life for people to enjoy.

“Necessary conditions can be sought to ensure that public access is maintained – which is the plan of the applicant – as well as ensuring the tall building does not get built until restoration to the building is made.”

The new owner of the property says a gym and swimming pool would be located on the basement level and a bar and restaurant at ground level.

Three hotel suites would be positioned on the third floor of the nine-storey building.

The plans will be discussed at a planning sub-committee meeting on Thursday December 13.