AN ICONIC Sandown building could be in for a much-anticipated facelift, as a plan is submitted to refurbish and demolish parts of the Grand Hotel, restoring it to its former Art Deco glory.

Arson attacks have plagued the vacant hotel on Culver Parade in recent years and it is looking increasingly dilapidated.

On January 5, four days after the application was submitted to the Isle of Wight Council, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service crews were again called to outbuildings on the site.

Isle of Wight County Press: A firefighter inspecting the roof behind the Grand Hotel in Sandown. Picture by Paul Coueslant of Sandown Hub.A firefighter inspecting the roof behind the Grand Hotel in Sandown. Picture by Paul Coueslant of Sandown Hub.

A separate plan to demolish them and build new holiday apartments has also been submitted to the council, but had to be revised when concerns were raised about the potential impact on the historic WWII Pluto Pipeline.

It has now been confirmed the old fuel pipes skirt round the hotel site and its basement was not the location of the control centre.

Owner Nick Spyker is proposing that the main building's walls are painted and its hotel signs are reinstalled.

Isle of Wight County Press: The current front of the Grand Hotel on Culver Parade. Picture by MJH Architectural Services.The current front of the Grand Hotel on Culver Parade. Picture by MJH Architectural Services.

Documents say the vision is to restore the hotel to its 1938 glory and its designer's original concept.

Ground floor extensions would also be torn down and the original external appearance of the building reinstated, where possible.

Designs drawn by MJH Architectural Service show vertical windows on the first and second floors, over the main entrance. Windows on the first and second floors would revert to their original design, old ones would be removed and new ones reflecting the Art Deco style would be installed.

Isle of Wight County Press: Plans for the Grand Hotel on Culver Parade. Picture by MJH Architectural Services.Plans for the Grand Hotel on Culver Parade. Picture by MJH Architectural Services.

The ground floor lobby entrance would be demolished, reinstating the steps, canopy and entrance door, refurbishing the original revolving timber door.

There is no mention in the planning documents of whether or not the hotel would reopen, however.

To view the plans, 22/00017/FUL, you can visit the council's planning register. Comments will be accepted until February 18.