PLANS for a new Travelodge hotel in the heart of Newton Abbot are being recommended to get the go ahead.

Teignbridge District Council’s plans would see the Halcyon Road car park converted into a 72-bedroom hotel with a restaurant.

The new hotel is the second phase of Teignbridge District Council’s plan for the centre of Newton Abbot, with a 25-year lease having already provisionally been agreed with Travelodge.

The five storey hotel would include a total of 72 bedrooms, as well as a restaurant for 48 covers. There will be 31 car parking spaces located to the southern part of the site, with further spaces to be allocated to Travelodge in the multi-storey car park with a voucher ticketing system in the hotel foyer.

Councillors on Teignbridge’s planning committee, when they meet on Tuesday, June 15, are recommended to grant approval to the application.

Recommending approval, the report says: ‘The site lies within Newton Abbot town centre but has no special designation, therefore the broad principle of any use found within a town centre would be acceptable. The use of the site for a hotel would fall within the criteria and is generally supported by policy, which in addition, supports tourist uses through accommodation and attractions which benefit the local economy.

‘It is considered that the scheme will bring economic benefits to the town with a scheme that is well thought out and will sit comfortably within the town. The impact upon nearby properties is considered to not be overriding due to the nature of the development and there would be no impact upon listed buildings or the Conservation Area.’