An Uttlesford hotel is hoping to expand with plans for 40 new rooms due to "considerable demand for additional rooms". 

The Premier Inn, Thaxted Road, Saffron Walden is proposing a four storey annex and conversion of the existing restaurant to create the new bedrooms as well as alterations to car park and other associated works.

Uttlesford Council’s planning committee is set to agree the plans at a meeting on November 13.

Under the plans, there would be a new four storey annexe on part of the rear car park, with a loss of nine car parking spaces.

This will create 30 new bedrooms and reconfiguration of the ground floor restaurant to provide a smaller restaurant with 10 new bedrooms.  

The planning officers report states the council’s economic development team are strongly in support of the proposal given the "lack of existing visitor accommodation in the district and very limited supply" within Saffron Walden.  

It also states there will be a small increase in staff numbers up to 10 full time and 31 part time members of staff. 

The report adds: "The applicant has made minor changes to the design of the scheme in conjunction with the design officers comments.

"There are no other objections from consultees and the town council are in support. The principle of this land use is considered acceptable as it is located on an employment designed site.

"In addition, as it is an extension to an existing hotel within a settlement boundary this is supported.

"The council economic development team are strongly in support given the lack of hotels specifically in Saffron Walden and the increased level of spend they bring to the town. 

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"Despite the increase in bedrooms the applicant considers that the additional trips generated would be partially offset by the loss of trips to the restaurant.

"This will be reduced in size and its offering will be focused on hotel customers only. This would not extract external trade and the additional parking demands this brings to the site.

"Therefore, the applicant considers that existing car park can accommodate the increase trips associated with the additional bedrooms."