A HOTEL in Evesham is set to almost double in size despite concerns it is not in the most suitable of locations.

Plans have been approved to build a two-storey extension with 50 ensuite bedrooms onto the side of the Premier Inn taking its capacity to 108 rooms.

As a result, it is estimated the hotel will need to employ another six room attendants, additional shift managers, maintenance staff and restaurant staff members.

Planning officer Jonathan Edwards told councillors there is a need for hotel accommodation in the town, particularly budget accommodation, but that the Premier Inn’s location off the A46 Evesham bypass was not served very well by public transport links.

“The long and short of it is this is not a necessarily ideal situation,” he said. “Ideally we would like this type of development closer to the town centre but without an alternative site to put forward we are struggling to recommend it be refused.” Councillors at the development control committee meeting were more enthusiastic about the extension though as they saw it as an opportunity to bring more tourism and income into the town.

In the planning report it said it is anticipated the rooms will be filled on a regular basis giving rise to a likely increase in demand for local services and goods from visitors to the area.

The submitted plans also show an extension to the car park area at the rear of the hotel increasing the number of spaces by 40. There will also be an additional two parking spaces for the disabled. The drawings also show the provision of floodlighting and CCTV cameras in the proposed car parking area.

Some concerns were voiced by Councillor Margaret Rowley about whether the sewage and drainage would cope, while others were worried about the impact on a wildlife habitat nearby.

But Councillor Judy Pearce said: “This brings lots of people into the area and good luck to them if they want to extend,” while Councillor Andrew Dyke said: “Evesham needs this.”