Redesign for Torquay's new Premier Inn

Concerns were raised about its effect on nearby historic buildings.

It asked for a rethink of the corner of the building which it feared could have a “harmful” effect on the setting of nearby listed buildings in Higher Terrace which date back to 1811.

Following the comments, the height of the south-west corner was lowered by 0.5m, more windows were added and the structure was altered to introduce more interest and “better reflect the design” of the listed terrace.

The changes are detailed in a letter submitted with the planning application on behalf of Torbay Council and Premier Inn Hotels Ltd, which is due to be considered by the council’s planning committee on Monday, August 12.

The original design for the hotel was around 2.5m higher than the listed buildings in Higher Terrace, which form an important part of the historic backdrop to the harbour.

The council’s planning committee is being recommended to give conditional approval due to the economic benefits outweighing any harm.

The £11m investment in the hotel has been put forward as part of the council’s regeneration strategy.

The authority will borrow from the Government at a discounted rate to fund the construction by contractor Midas and lease the building to Whitbread to operate as a Premier Inn.

Profit from the deal will go to help fund council services which have been under pressure from years of Government cuts.

A planning statement said the hotel would create 30 jobs directly and six others in the supply chain, and generate more than £1m a year.

The statement said the wider economic benefits would amount to around £3.3m a year in additional spending on food, drink and entertainment.

The hotel would be allocated 100 spaces at the multi-storey car park with 60 for the nearby Torwood Street retail and office development, leaving 335 for public use.