A planning application to erect a beach club at Sinky Bay in Southampton has been approved by the Development Applications Board.

The “Hamilton Princess Beach Club”, to be erected on the eastern side of the former Sonesta property, will include a dining pavilion with seating for 66, along with five “mobile modules” containing the site’s kitchen, bar and restroom facilities.

The application also states that mobile cabanas and umbrellas will be used on the beach itself, while a structure which had served as a swimming pool while the Sonesta was operation will now be adapted into an outdoor fire pit.

Property owners the Green family have stated that the club will be linked to the Fairmont Hamilton Princess, providing guests at the hotel with beach facilities as soon as next summer.

According to the minutes of the November 5 meeting of the Development Applications Board, board members questioned technical officers about several elements of the plan, including if dredging the shallow bay would be included in the plan and what efforts would be made to keep the bay clean given its narrow mouth.

“The technical officer confirmed that dredging is not proposed,” the minutes stated.

“In addition, the technical officer indicated that the bay had undergone recent cleaning, where vegetation debris had to be removed and that regular maintenance would continue as needed.”

The board also questioned the long term use of the site, noting that the property’s owners have already sought and received planning approval for a separate beach club at the neighbouring Boat Bay.

The technical officer said that it was understood that the applicant would assess the success of the proposal to determine at a later date if the structures should remain in place.

The Board resolved to approve the application, however the minutes added: “Given the temporary nature of the proposed use of the mobile units on the site, the Board resolved to add a condition restricting the approval to a five year time frame to allow for a reassessment of the development and sustainability long-term.”

The Green family purchased the South Shore site last March for a reported $10.5 million.