Agenda item

Erection of 65 bedroom hotel with function suite, Managers Flat, parking and landscaping.

The Committee considered a report of the Senior Planning Officer regarding he proposed erection of a 65 bedroom hotel with function suite, Managers Flat, parking and landscaping (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Senior Planning Officer provided a detailed presentation which included photographs of the site and plans of the proposed layout.

Councillor A Watson, local Member (Consett North), addressed the committee to speak in support of the application. He commented that this hotel was a great investment for Consett and a statement of confidence in the area. The proposed hotel would be good for the economy and would bring jobs and wealth for the area.

Councillor D Hicks, local Member (Consett South), addressed the committee to speak in support of the application. He reiterated the comments already made adding that a hotel was greatly needed in the Consett area. He further commented that there was good public footpath links to the town centre and would do businesses in the area the world of good.

Mr G McGill, Applicants Agent addressed the committee to speak in support of the application. He advised that the interest shown in the Consett area was a testament to the towns ongoing regeneration and the proposals for a hotel in Consett went some way to putting it on the map for both Leisure and Tourism.

He went on to thank officers for their support during the application process adding that their advice and guidance had resulted in a better standard of proposed development.

Further reference was made to consultation which had taken place and support which had been shown for the development. Comments received regarding the protection of amenity had been addressed and mitigated against.

Original proposals had been for a smaller hotel however this had been increased due to the confidence in the market and the suitability of a larger hotel.

Negotiations were still underway regarding the hotel chain who would operate the hotel, however it was noted that it would not be a budget hotel. A mid-range offering was more likely.

In conclusion he advised that the hotel in the long term would contribute to economic activity in the area and would go some way in retaining young people in the area.

Councillor Wilson commented that he could only see the positive impacts of the development and felt that objections had been mitigated against. He therefore MOVED that the application be approved.

Councillor Shuttleworth added that Consett was a boom town and agreed that the hotel would be a good thing for the area and would encourage further business to the area. He therefore SECONDED the proposal.

Councillor Shield commented that as a member local to the area he would have liked to have moved the application for approval. He did however note that the application did accord with the local plan and NPPF.

Following a vote being taken it was

Resolved: That the application be approved subject to the conditions as detailed in the report.