Five-storey hotel in Telford wins support of planning chiefs
A five-storey hotel is poised to be built in Telford town centre after planning chiefs gave it their backing.
The proposals for a new hotel in Southwater, believed to be a Travelodge, have been much contested by residents and the Friends of Telford Town Park, who say it will change the view into Telford Town Park.
But Telford & Wrekin Council's planning committee gave its support to the plans during a meeting last night, with five councillors voting to pass the plans and three voting against.
They have delegated authority to a development management service delivery manager to grant planning permission, subject to conditions being met.
The developer will be asked to contribute nearly £60,000 to highway improvements.
Earlier this year it was announced that the green strip of land would house a new hotel, which came under fire from residents, councillors and Telford MP Lucy Allan, who said it would change the nature of the new development and overwhelm the site.
Instead, Telford & Wrekin Council said it would turn half of the site, from outside the existing Premier Inn to Wildwood Kitchen, to instead look over a new open space, with the 68-bedroom hotel in front of the ice rink.
Its ground floor and first-floor mezzanine level will be a bar and restaurant on to Southwater lake.
Councillor Peter Scott spoke in support of the plans during the meeting at the Whitehouse Hotel in Wellington.
He said: "I think we are trying to build something here which will encourage tourism. It will encourage people to come to Telford.
"I back it 100 per cent."
Councillor Scott said he believed there was enough parking spaces in the town centre to support the hotel, despite the development offering just four disabled parking bays.
But Councillor Nigel Dugmore voted against the plans, saying the hotel would be in the wrong position.
He said he did not think there was enough demand for another hotel and restaurant and claimed it puts a barrier between Southwater and Telford Town Park.
He also raised concerns about the hotel's lack of parking spaces.
Councillor Nicola Lowery also echoed his concerns about parking. She told the committee: "I don't think that's particularly attractive to potential guests."
But officers say there are more than 4,000 parking spaces in the town centre and it is not considered an issue.
