New Travelodge for Newton Abbot

72 bedrooms across five storeys

A new Travelodge hotel is to be built in the centre of Newton Abbot.

The plans have been backed by Teignbridge District Council's planning committee and will mean Halcyon Road car park will be converted into a 72-bedroom hotel with a restaurant.

Councillors said that it was a long term aspiration for the town and will boost footfall and spending, especially after the pandemic.

It's the second phase of Teignbridge District Council's master plan for the centre of Newton Abbot. A 25-year lease has provisionally been agreed with Travelodge.

The hotel will have 72-bedrooms, spread across five storeys. Thirty-one car parking spaces will be located to the southern part of the site, with further spaces allocated to Travelodge in the multi-storey car park.

Cllr Rob Hayes said: “We do need a hotel in the town as there hasn’t been one for many years, and there is a need there, and unless I hear a really convincing argument, I cannot see any reason why this cannot go through.”

Cllr Jackie Hook added: “This is a long term aspiration which recognises the opportunity tourism brings to the town and it will assist the recovery of the town and town centre post-Covid. I see significant net benefits from this project for the town and I recommend approval.”

Cllr Colin Parker said: “People want to visit the area so we have a need for extra beds – the need is there. Obviously will have some negative effects and change the site significantly, but the Travelodge can only assist the town’s economy and bring the extra pound into the town.

“The town has been lacking a hotel for some time and we want them to stay in Newton Abbot rather than go elsewhere for their needs, and I cannot see anything against the application so will support it.”

But councillor Janet Bradford is against the plans, saying that the building is "ugly", and that she feels for people living in the vicinity, adding: “Surely the people of Newton Abbot need and deserve something much better than this?”

Eloise Rokirilov, vice-chair of the Newton Abbot Civic Society said that while there is a need for a new hotel in Newton Abbot, the location is questionable. She said: “The proposal does not reflect the heritage around it. It is dark, depressing and heavy to look at, and there is no reason why a more appropriate style cannot be used. We urge you that if you are to force the construction on the town, choose a different location and design.”

But councillors agreed with the recommendation of the planning officers and voted by 11 votes to three in favour of approval.

In their report recommending approval, they had said: “The use of the site for a hotel 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.”

The scheme would see the loss of 64 spaces which will be taken out of public use in the existing car park, but the displaced parking will eventually be re-provided in the Cattle Market Car Park, where the sheep pens current are, but that even without these additional spaces, there would remain capacity in the town centre car parks, with latest figures showing around 40 per cent of spaces are empty at peak times.

The Travelodge hotel in Newton Abbot will be progressed on a self-develop basis, meaning that Teignbridge District Council will construct the hotels to a specification agreed, but with at least a 25-year lease to Travelodge.