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World-famous artist Tracey Emin\u2019s bid to transform a derelict seafront pavilion featuring a rooftop seating terrace has sparked a flurry of concerns from neighbours.<\/p>\n
The \u2018My Bed\u2019 artist snapped up the abandoned Westbrook Loggia, near Margate, in 2023 and wants to convert it into a bathers\u2019 club and restaurant.<\/p>\n
How Tracey Emin’s transformation of the Westbrook Loggia could look. Picture: Waugh Thistleton Architects<\/p>\n
Plans submitted by the Tracey Emin Foundation also propose refurbishing the existing public toilets and creating a sauna, changing room, and shower facilities.<\/p>\n
The organisation also wants to build a community event space and artist studio.<\/p>\n
But the erection of a wind shelter and seating on the roof of the building has attracted some local opposition on Thanet District Council\u2019s planning portal.<\/p>\n
\u201cI suffer with COPD stage 2 and need to breathe in sea air and keep away from smoke; otherwise it will progress to stage 4, and I will die,\u201d Clare Hastings commented, who says she lives opposite and has a balcony.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf Tracey is allowed to put tables and chairs on the roof and give access to the general public, there will be smokers and vapers on the roof which will affect me immensely.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlso, there will be a significant increase in noise and disturbance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Artist Tracey Emin purchased the Westbrook Pavilion, commonly known as the Loggia. Picture: Thanet District Council<\/p>\n
Jessica Ali does not support the plans as it will block her sea view.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the plans and design could be adjusted to not affect the south view, then I would be fully in favour,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Cllr John Edwards raised concerns about anti-social behaviour.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am overall in favour of the development, but I see the roof causing problems in the future, and as the ward councillor I must look after the residents,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Clara Anderson Bergdahl says the regeneration of the pavilion is \u201coverall a very positive thing\u201d.<\/p>\n
But she said: \u201cAs a resident of the street, my only concern is that of the rooftop shelter and seating area bringing with it significantly increased noise and disturbance due to the open-air aspect of the proposal.<\/p>\n
Tracey Emin wants to convert the Westbrook Loggia near Margate with plans to create a swimming pool and restaurant. Picture: Waugh Thistleton Architects<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope it’s going to be a popular facility; however, with that comes the concern of a daily and significant impact regarding noise and disturbance and a negative effect on our family life.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope this can be taken into consideration when reviewing the proposal.\u201d<\/p>\n
But others support the planning application, with Alice Herrick saying it would be a \u201cgreat addition to Westbrook\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe locals and visitors will benefit from having a cafe and restaurant overlooking the beach and sunset,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a friendly neighbourhood and will provide a focus and meeting place all year round.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am also excited about the gallery space and believe the building will be sensitively redesigned to reflect the cultural shift towards an arts audience in Margate.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Beverley Aitken says she lives 200 yards from the site and uses Westbrook beach all year round.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will provide much-needed facilities for all beach users, not least a cafe, and at best warm showers for winter swimmers and other sea users,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will provide a much-needed community space and a restaurant for use particularly on those lovely warm evenings.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt present the only facilities are toilets that are not open all year round.\u201d<\/p>\n
The applicants state the Westbrook Pavilion is a \u201cseverely dilapidated building that has fallen from its former glory as an Edwardian-era bathing pavilion\u201d.<\/p>\n
They say a wind shelter will be introduced at roof level to \u201cprotect the staircase\u201d.<\/p>\n
Westbrook Loggia near Margate was built in 1910<\/p>\n
Plans state the central bay will be refined and replaced with a patio, creating a sheltered public space beneath the upper balcony, while existing windows will be retained and repaired.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe towers will be enhanced with new ground floor arches to accommodate a coffee and ice cream hatch, drawing on historic precedents, while new first floor windows will provide light and views for the caf\u00e9 in a more restrained scale,\u201d documents state.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbove, contemporary belvederes inspired by the original design will be reinstated using modern materials.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe wings will be rationalised by replacing the current ad hoc additions with a more ordered composition that reflects the original pavilion, introducing aligned glazing and rendered columns to echo the historic colonnades.<\/p>\n
\u201cFinally, the public WCs will be upgraded and retained, with external detailing that reflects the building\u2019s arched architectural language and incorporates features such as fanlight windows and beach-front showers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Views on the scheme need to be formally lodged with TDC by tomorrow (Tuesday).<\/p>\n
The derelict Westbrook Loggia near Margate<\/p>\n
To see more planning applications and other public notices impacting your area, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n It is thought that the building, also known as Westbrook Bay Pavilion, was constructed in 1910 and was originally an Edwardian bathing house.<\/p>\n Before it shut down, it hosted a cafe and a beach shop.<\/p>\n Ms Emin grew up in Margate and returned to the town in 2017.<\/p>\n