New hotel plans could be approved within days
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ANEW hotel described as “the first of its kind in Wales” could be given the go-ahead within days. Plans to open a new “extended stay” hotel at the site of the Holiday Inn Express in Cardiff Bay will be considered by Cardiff council’s Planning Committee next Wednesday.
The proposal would demolish the single storey part of the existing Holiday Inn, to make way for a new six-storey building with 72 “extended stay” suites.
If allowed, the development 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 extended stay suites would have bathrooms and kitchen facilities to accommodate people working away from home, temporary employees and people new to Cardiff looking for permanent accommodation, as well as tourists, a council report says.
There would also be an on-site 24/7 shop, fitness room, laundry room and social events.
This type of hotel accommodation is already operated in cities such as Birmingham, Liverpool, London and Newcastle.
It is understood the proposed hotel suites would be the first of their type in Wales, a statement from the developer, Hospitality Capital Management, says.
The company said in a statement: “The proposals represent an efficient use of an accessible brownfield site in a central location that will contribute to the business and tourism economy of Cardiff, adding choice and competition to the overnight stay market – generating investment and jobs directly.”
But there has been some objections to the plans – 66 people have signed a petition urging the development not to go ahead due to loss of light and privacy for neighbouring properties, noise and traffic issues.
Labour leadership hopeful Vaughan Gething, AM for Cardiff South and Penarth, has also objected to the plans, telling Cardiff council: “The proposed development would have a detrimental impact on the surrounding area.
“The development would be overlooking neighbouring properties and would cause considerable overshadowing and a loss of privacy.
“The proposed design, sitting and its finish would reduce and contribute loss of sunlight into the neighbouring properties at the rear of the proposed development. I would urge the committee to visit the site to see directly how this proposal would significantly and deteriorating affect nearby residents.”
Mr Gething also raised concerns about the development being out of character for the area and how construction vehicles would get in and out the site.
Councillor Saeed Ebrahim has also objecting to the development as it “would have a detrimental impact on the surrounding area”.
“The development would be overlooking neighbouring properties and therefore would cause loss of privacy and considerable overshadowing,” he told Cardiff council.
He also expressed concerns about the character of the building, sunlight loss fo neighbouring properties and the size of the development.