Bishop’s Stortford Town Council welcomes Travelodge arrival despite ‘drab’ design
Bishop’s Stortford Town Council has welcomed plans for a new hotel but criticised the “unambitious” design.
Solum Regeneration and Travelodge Hotels Ltd have asked East Herts Council (EHC) for planning permission to construct a four-storey building as part of the Goodsyard development at the railway station.
The 92-bedroom, three-storey Travelodge will be built above 552 sq m (5,941 sq ft) of “flexible commercial space” at ground-floor level.
The town council’s planning and development committee reviewed the scheme on Monday evening.
Cllr Murray White said: “I find it really disappointing - this is supposed to be a gateway for the town and it’s a boring block.”
Cllr Stephen Skinner accepted the building was a budget hotel but said: “It’s a really drab-looking building.” He suggested the brick exterior could be rendered.
Cllr David Jacobs questioned why visitors from the town centre would be greeted by a “horrible” blank, windowless brick wall. An open-plan reception lobby on the ground floor will be visible as guests approach from the station.
He wanted dialogue with the developer to try to influence a better design.
Cllr Oliver Diffey suggested street art might provide a solution, highlighting the new mural on the side of the Gourmet Oriental Chinese restaurant on South Street.
The leader of the council, Cllr Miriam Swainston, said: “The town desperately needs a hotel - this would be an asset.”
She said the developer had struggled to find an operator willing to take on the project.
The committee called for clarification on how drop-offs and pick-ups from the hotel would be accommodated.
Visitors arriving by car will have access to 60 overnight parking bays in the Jackson Square car park and 10 spaces in the Crown Terrace car park at Hockerill.
Members were also concerned about the capacity of the nearby bus interchange and questioned what kind of business would occupy the “commercial space” on the ground floor of the hotel.
The Goodsyard is set to deliver around 740 homes, a minimum of 3,004 sq m (32,334 sq ft) of commercial floorspace; 1,083 sq m (11,657 sq ft) of retail floorspace; 491 sq m (5,285 sq ft) of dual/alternative use retail and healthcare floorspace; two multi-storey car parks; parking for the residential units; and improvements to the Bishop’s Stortford transport interchange.