The site where a controversial five-storey hotel was to be built in a tourist town is on the market for £2 million.

A multi-million-pound 100-room hotel with a rooftop bar and restaurant had been earmarked on land in Corporation Street, Rochester, opposite the railway station.

The sale of the substantial plot comes with full planning permission for a hotel.

It was finally approved in 2020 after architects were forced on numerous occasions to return to the drawing board and come up with revised designs to satisfy conservationists keen to preserve the character of the historic town.

Initial designs were met with a barrage of protest amid fears it would block the view of Rochester’s two iconic landmarks, the cathedral and castle.

Branded a “concrete eyesore”, banner-waving residents took to the streets to vent their anger over the budget accommodation block which did not include additional parking.

Permission was eventually granted to demolish the existing car wash and garage and construct a building with different roof levels, allowing visitors coming out of the station to catch a glimpse of the towering cathedral spire.

To make a point, the applicant named the amended design The Cathedral View Hotel to appease opponents who included senior church members.

Moxy Property Consultants, the estate agents, describe it as an ”unmissable development opportunity in Historic Rochester”.

The details read: “We are beyond excited to present a truly remarkable redevelopment opportunity with this prime land parcel, spanning over 1400 sqm.

“This exceptional site already has planning permission secured for a stunning 100-bedroom hotel, complete with a rooftop bar featuring an external terrace and viewing platform, as well as a restaurant and café.

“But that’s not all! The versatility of this site is where it truly shines.

“Imagine the incredible potential for various uses including hospitality, education, healthcare, residential, or mixed-use developments, all subject to planning. The possibilities are endless!

“Situated in a prime location, this site is directly opposite the £26million Rochester mainline station and sits adjacent to Historic Rochester High Street.

“In the heart of Historic Rochester, the site offers unparalleled convenience and accessibility, with close proximity to heritage attractions, shops, and the high-speed station.

“Don’t miss this extraordinary chance to bring a visionary project to life in such a coveted location!

“The hotel design includes a basement for plant accommodation, and a ground floor with amenities such as a restaurant, café, retail/workspace, reception, and back-of-house facilities.

“Levels 1 to 4 will house hotel bedrooms with associated storage areas, while level five will include additional bedrooms, staff amenities, and a rooftop restaurant/bar with an external terrace and viewing platform.

Robert Tucker, a leading campaigner against the hotel project, welcomed the news the site was for sale with cautious optimism.

Mr Tucker, who lives in Restoration House, Crow Lane, Rochester, said: ”Let’s just hope we don’t get a badly-designed building to replace it.

“The castle and cathedral are indisputably Rochester’s greatest heritage assets.

“To block their visual amenity to others for the sake of a cheap hotel is ludicrous financially.”