Campaigners have lost their battle to save a historic building on Clacton seafront from being redeveloped.

The Secretary of State has decided not to hold a public inquiry into plans to convert the former Grand Hotel on Marine Parade East into flats.

It was decided the decision should be taken by the local planning authority.

Tendring Council planning officer Peter Le Grys said: "We have just been notified the secretary does not wish to intervene in this matter. The decision is down to Tendring Council and we have granted planning permission."

Vaughan and Blyth Construction based in Colchester can now go ahead with its scheme.

It includes converting the former Grand, which is listed and cannot be knocked down, into 19 apartments and two maisonettes.

There are also plans to demolish other buildings and put up 21 new apartments.

Adrian Sainty, a director for Vaughan and Blyth, said the next stage would be to complete the purchase of the building now that planning permission is resolved.

"I would hope that could happen in the next seven to ten days," he said.

"Should everything go as expected, then I would hope that we will be able to start work at the beginning of March."

Published Thursday, February 21, 2002