Eastnor House - Briefing Note - March 2019.pdf

Briefing document | March 2019

LAND AT EASTNOR HOUSE, DUCKLINGTON WAY, WITNEY

View of scheme from corner of New Close Lane This short briefing from Hinton Group provides an overview of revised proposals for a Travelodge Hotel and Costa Coffee drivethru on previously developed land at Eastnor House, Ducklington Lane, Witney. Planning permission for a 37 room Travelodge Hotel and Costa Coffee drive-thru was granted last year following a resolution to approve the proposals from members of West Oxfordshire District Council’s Lowlands Area Planning Sub-Committee (WODC) in July 2018. Since the grant of planning permission, Travelodge has encountered significant challenges in viably developing and operating a hotel with only 37 rooms, which is somewhat below their latest operating requirements.

Notwithstanding Travelodge’s operational requirements, in approving the application there were observations from the Committee on the need for more hotel accommodation in Witney and that the number of rooms in the consented proposal could have been increased. In light of this and following further dialogue with WODC officers, Hinton Group is proposing a revised scheme to deliver a 63-room Travelodge hotel alongside the Costa Coffee drive-thru. The new 63-room hotel would be accommodated in a three-storey building broadly similar in height to the approved 37-room hotel scheme. The revised proposal is a viable commercial option for Travelodge, which would enable them to open a new hotel in Witney and meet local demand for value hotel accommodation, providing benefits for Witney through job creation, economic development and tourism.

WHAT IS PROPOSED? •

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63 room Travelodge hotel: Planning officers have advised that a contemporary scheme design is appropriate in order to ensure that additional rooms could be incorporated without creating a significant change to the height of the approved hotel building. At the highest point the revised proposal would be just 10cm higher than the consented building and would be positioned in the same location on the site. All building plant would be located in integral plant enclosures. Costa Coffee drive-thru: The proposed Costa Coffee drivethru remains unchanged from the consented planning application.

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71 car parking spaces: Car parking provision is proposed to be increased from 59 spaces to 71 spaces. This increase in parking provision has been agreed with OCC Highways as acceptable. The proposed access to the site from Ducklington Lane remains as originally proposed for the consented planning application.

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Enhanced landscaping: The buffer zone to Colwell Brook is retained and additional landscaping has been incorporated across the site when compared with the approved scheme. In particular, additional planting is proposed across the car park.

View of scheme from Witney Road

LOCAL ENGAGEMENT Hinton Group has engaged collaboratively with WODC and Witney Town Council from the outset and sought to respond positively to feedback provided. These revised proposals have evolved following pre-application discussions with WODC officers and members. Hinton Group has also met with members of Witney Town Council to present the revised proposals and is encouraged that more hotel rooms on the site could be considered beneficial. Hinton Group has also met and briefed Duckington Parish Council on the proposals.

BENEFITS FOR WITNEY •

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The creation of new employment opportunities, with • 9 full time and 12 part time roles, a small increase on the consented scheme. Travelodge is committed to recruitment through Job Centre Plus local employer • partnerships, alongside actively working with the employment priorities of individual Councils. Additional direct and in-direct employment, apprenticeships and local expenditure arising during scheme construction. All Travelodge staff benefit from training, with the aim for all staff to achieve at least a Level Two national vocational qualification.

Travelodge’s introduction will enhance Witney’s existing attraction as a tourist and business destination. The new hotel will meet Travelodge’s identified local demand for value hotel accommodation and Costa Coffee’s identified need for a drive-thru facility in Witney. This will boost the local economy through new business and tourism visitors to the town. Information from Travelodge guest surveys confirm that a high proportion of guests will visit local restaurants, pubs and other facilities during their stay, supporting the local economy.