Hotel plans approved by council
PLANS for a new hotel described as “the first of its kind in Wales” have been approved – despite residents’ concerns about loss of light and privacy.
A new “extended stay” hotel would be built at the site of the Holiday Inn Express in Cardiff Bay under plans approved by Cardiff council’s planning committee yesterday.
It would be aimed at people working away from home, temporary employees and people new to Cardiff looking for permanent homes, and would have extended stay suites with bathrooms and kitchen facilities.
The proposal would demolish the single-storey part of the existing Holiday Inn, to make way for a new sixstorey building with 72 “extended stay” suites. It would reduce the number of rooms in the existing hotel from 87 to 79, and increase the number of parking spaces from 53 to 69.
The plans were opposed by a petition of 66 residents – raising concerns about loss of light, privacy and an increase in parking.
Concerns were expressed at the meeting that the development would attract more vehicles into the area.
But developer Hospitality Capital Management, which said the new hotel would be the first of its kind in Wales, told the planning committee the plans comply with council policies on light, noise and parking.
Councillor Saeed Ebrahim objected to the plans and told the committee he was concerned for residents living nearby due to loss of privacy, sunlight and increases of noise pollution.
He said: “Business-wise the city is growing and it’s required to have more hotels. But I don’t think this is in the right location – it’s in the middle of a residential area.
“If you book into a hotel for a month you are most likely to bring your own vehicle. I would really consider the location of these 72 flats and take into consideration the residents of this ward.”
Clive Viner, for Hospitality Capital Management, told the committee the proposed development was similar to other buildings in the area.
He said: “There are 5,500 hotel rooms in Cardiff but less then three per cent are in that long-term category. This is something that’s desperately needed, not only by businesses but the residents who are looking to stay longer in the area.”
The committee approved the application by a majority verdict.