Objections nearly match the number of bedrooms in a ‘premium lifestyle hotel’ proposed for Bath that has been recommended for approval. The 202-bedroom, six-storey structure would take the place of City of Bath College’s Allen Building in James Street West, which is scheduled for demolition.

The application will come before Bath and North East Somerset Council’s development management committee on Wednesday, 6th June.

The proposals, which would provide eighty to 100 full-time jobs, include a cafe, bar and restaurant, as well as a delicatessen and a gym and could boost the local economy by £4.27 million.

But there have been 168 objections from residents and the Bath Preservation Trust, the Federation of Bath Residents’ Associations, and the Association of Bath Restaurants.

Bath Independent Guesthouse Association chairman, Harry Tedstone, said in an open letter to councillors: “When we oppose a planning application for a new hotel, we freely admit that there is a vested interest for our members.

“However, for us to thrive, we need Bath to thrive. This is the first time for many years that we have opposed an application for a new hotel – we have taken this step because this is not in the best interests of Bath as a whole.”

Critics of the plans said the demand for beds needs to be carefully managed, smaller businesses would be put at risk and that Bath should not become a city of chain hotels. Others warned about the increased traffic, and that the ‘unchecked’ growth of any single sector will disrupt the city’s balance.

B&NES Council’s economic development team questioned if the additional hotel beds were needed and said research needed to be done that factors in the growth of other sectors, like Airbnb.

The postmodern Allen Building dates back to 1991 but is now surplus to the college’s requirements. The hair, beauty, sport, leisure and care courses that use it would be relocated.

The application says the new premium lifestyle hotel will create a ‘new destination in the centre of Bath’, including a bar and restaurant that would be open to the public.

No customer or staff parking is proposed – guests are expected to use the city’s existing parking facilities or public transport.

Assessing the application, B&NES Council planning officers said there are already enough hotel beds planned to meet demand until at least 2025 – but they said there is no cap on numbers, and no evidence the additional beds will cause ‘unacceptable’ harm to the city or its hotel sector.

Recommending approval, they said: “The proposed development complies with development plan policy and generates a number of wider public benefits, including the creation of eighty to 100 direct jobs and the generation of some £4.27 million to the local economy.

“Compliance with the development plan, as well as the wider public benefits of the scheme are matters which carry very significant weight and which weigh considerably in favour of the development.”

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Stephen Sumner