Hotel Approved For Vacant Car Showroom

Planners have given the green light to proposals for a new hotel and business academy on the site of the former Honda garage on East Hill.

Developers have been given permission to demolish the old car showroom and associated buildings on this vac ant site and replace them with a 122 bedroom hotel, complete with function rooms, a restaurant, gym and 25 space basement car park.

The development will also contain space for a business academy and associated conference facilities. These new additions to the borough will be provided in a part five and part six storey building.

The developer has also agreed to fund improvement works to the adjoining historic Huguenot burial ground which will include repairs to listed tombstones as part of a package of environmental improvements.
Planning applications chairman Cllr Nick Cuff said: "This is very welcome news for this part of the borough.

"This investment will bring this vacant and semi-derelict site back into productive economic use and provide employment opportunities to people living in the area.

"The new restaurant and gym will also provide additional leisure and entertainment choices for people living nearby."