Hotel alterations and seven bedrooms at Premier Inn, 51 Albion Road, Bexleyheath

What was proposed

The application proposed changes to the existing hotel, creating seven additional bedrooms and reducing the restaurant to 60 guest-only covers.

“This application seeks planning permission for alterations to fenestration of existing hotel to provide additional hotel bedrooms, reconfigured hotel restaurant and all associated works to the existing Premier Inn Hotel and Brewers Fayre Restaurant.”

“The proposed development will comprise the stripping out of the existing restaurant public area and the subdivision of the area with new internal partitioning to form a new Solus restaurant and seven new guest bedrooms, one of which will be a UA (universally accessible) room; a further additional guest bedroom will be provided by conversion of a linen room on the first floor. The existing kitchen will be retained.”

Officer report

The site

The site is an existing hotel and restaurant within a larger building in Bexleyheath Town Centre, alongside commercial uses, parking and flats.

“The application site is located within Bexleyheath Town Centre on the north side of Albion Road. The site and surrounding area consist of a variety of building heights comprising of a mixture of commercial uses and residential units. The site contains an existing hotel, attached to Bexleyheath Central Library.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

The hotel was established through permissions granted in 2011 and 2012, with an earlier extract flue application granted in 2020.

“RELEVANT PLANNING HISTORY 19/02893/FUL: Retrospective proposal for the installation of an extract flue. Granted on 11/06/2020”

“11/01983/FULM: Proposal under Sections 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 regarding the demolition of existing car park and erection of a part 3/5/6 storey building comprising 109 bed hotel, commercial units (Use Class A1, A2, A3, D1 and/or D2) including car parking (142 spaces) and service area and 43 flats providing 17 x 1 bed and 26 x 2 bed units with communal garden and bicycle store approved under reference 10/01703/FULM amended to provide for a reduced number…”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered the principle acceptable and found limited design, residential amenity and highway effects, subject to planning conditions.

“The proposal would maintain the extant lawful use of the site with amendments to the quantum of rooms provided and a reduction in the size of the ancillary restaurant associated with the hotel use. Therefore, the principle of development is acceptable subject to considerations such as design, impact on neighbouring amenity and highways discussed below.”

“The proposal is therefore considered acceptable in design terms.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The Highway Authority raised no objections subject to conditions, while Environmental Health and contaminated land consultees raised no objections.

“The Local Highways Authority raise no objections subject to conditions.”

“Officers have previously advised on security concerns for this building and carpark, which were raised by the Town Centre policing team.”

Officer report

Neighbour concerns

Four neighbouring addresses objected because of possible increased noise, traffic and parking stress, privacy effects and loss of the restaurant.

“Objections have been received from 4 neighbouring addresses. In summary the following objections have been raised.”

“Concern regarding increased noise ➢ Increase in traffic and parking stress ➢ Concern regarding privacy ➢ Concern regarding loss of restaurant…”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector addressed the committee, followed by the agent speaking in support of the application.

Committee discussion

Members considered the observations and speakers’ points, and requested controls on loading, unloading and construction activity to avoid unreasonable disturbance.

“The Committee discussed the application, considered all observations, points and comments made by the speakers and noted the report with the Addendum item for this application.”

“The Committee requested a condition regarding suitable times for the loading and unloading of goods and associated construction activity to avoid unreasonable disturbance to nearby residents.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee approved the application by nine votes to one, in accordance with the recommendation as amended.

“Following their discussion, the Committee RESOLVED on a vote of 9/1 to approve the application in accordance with the recommendation as set out in the report before them, and as amended by the Addendum and the additional condition.”

Minutes