Newton Abbot is getting a new Travelodge
The 72-bedroom hotel with a restaurant will be built in the Halcyon Road car park
Plans for a new Travelodge hotel to be built in the heart of Newton Abbot have been given the go-ahead.
Teignbridge District Council’s planning committee backed the council’s own plans, which would see the Halcyon Road car park converted into a 72-bedroom hotel with a restaurant, when they met on Tuesday morning.
Councillors agreed with the recommendation of officers of approval, saying that it was a long term aspiration for the town, would boost footfall and spending, especially post-Covid, and would have significant net benefits.
The new hotel is the second phase of Teignbridge District Council’s masterplan for the centre of Newton Abbot, with a 25-year lease having already provisionally been agreed with Travelodge.
The five-storey hotel would include a total of 72 bedrooms, as well as a restaurant for 48 covers. There will be 31 car parking spaces located to the southern part of the site, with further spaces to be allocated to Travelodge in the multi-storey car park with a voucher ticketing system in the hotel foyer.
Cllr Rob Hayes said: "We do need a hotel in the town as there hasn’t been one for many years, and there is a need there, and unless I hear a really convincing argument, I cannot see any reason why this cannot go through."
Cllr Jackie Hook added: "This is a long term aspiration which recognises the opportunity tourism brings to the town and it will assist the recovery of the town and town centre post-Covid. I see significant net benefits from this project for the town and I recommend approval."
Cllr Colin Parker added: "People want to visit the area so we have a need for extra beds – the need is there. Obviously will have some negative effects and change the site significantly, but the Travelodge can only assist the town’s economy and bring the extra pound into the town.
"The town has been lacking a hotel for some time and we want them to stay in Newton Abbot rather than go elsewhere for their needs, and I cannot see anything against the application so will support it."
But Cllr Janet Bradford said that the building was ‘ugly’, that she felt for the people living in the vicinity, adding: "Surely the people of Newton Abbot need and deserve something much better than this?”"
The meeting also heard from a local resident of the adjacent Abbotsbury Road, who said that the building of the hotel on this specific site will compromise the residential area to the north, and that it would be overlooking her home and personal space and privacy.
And Eloise Rokirilov, vice chair of the Newton Abbot Civic Society said that while there is a need for a new hotel in Newton Abbot, the location is at the very least questionable.
She said: "The proposal does not reflect the heritage around it. It is dark, depressing and heavy to look at, and there is no reason why a more appropriate style cannot be used. We urge you that if you are to force the construction on the town, choose a different location and design."
But councillors agreed with the recommendation of the planning officers and voted by 11 votes to three in favour of approval.
In their report recommending approval, they had said: "The use of the site for a hotel is generally supported by policy, which in addition, supports tourist uses through accommodation and attractions which benefit the local economy.
"It is considered that the scheme will bring economic benefits to the town with a scheme that is well thought out and will sit comfortably within the town. The impact upon nearby properties is considered to not be overriding due to the nature of the development and there would be no impact upon listed buildings or the Conservation Area."
The scheme would see the loss of 64 spaces which will be taken out of public use in the existing car park, but the displaced parking will eventually be re-provided in the Cattle Market Car Park, where the sheep pens current are, but that even without these additional spaces, there would remain capacity in the town centre car parks, with latest figures showing around 40 per cent of spaces are empty at peak times.
The proposals will require alterations to the Sherborne Road access to allow for in and out traffic, which will include the removal of the part of the low stone wall and it’s realignment to provide suitable space and visibility, as well as removal and relocation of a lamppost and zebra crossing
The Travelodge hotel in Newton Abbot will be progressed on a self-develop basis, meaning that Teignbridge District Council will construct the hotels to a specification agreed, but with at least a 25 year lease to Travelodge.