Huge 'landmark' hotel to be built on the vets land near to Home Park in Plymouth
James Brent gains approval for seven-storey tower and nearby restaurant and gym with public piazza too
A huge new “landmark” seven-storey hotel is set to be built next to Plymouth Argyle’s Home Park stadium but other plans for the Western Gateway site have been scaled back.
Former Argyle chairman James Brent has had his eye on developing the land, off Outland Road, since early 2018, when he first revealed his vision for the area around the football stadium.
He initially wanted to build two office blocks, four restaurants, a gym and a 116-bed hotel on the plot.
But his new plan, conditionally approved by Plymouth City Council Planners on June 10, sees the offices ditched alongside three of the restaurants, which is perhaps unsurprising considering the contraction in the casual dining market, even before the coronavirus pandemic.
An officer’s report said “it is considered that the height and scale is appropriate, and that it will not be out of scale”, taking into account the “substantial” buildings nearby, particularly the Life Centre, the football ground and the forthcoming ice arena.
The report said the hotel would include a ground floor reception, lobby, lounge bar and a café/breakfast area, with “necessary back of house areas such as the kitchen, offices, and staff facilities”.
The ground floor will also accommodates some hotel bedrooms, including two accessible bedrooms, and four others. From first to sixth floor the layout is replicated, with each floor providing 25 rooms.
he adjacent restaurant would cover 279sq m below a three-storey gym and treatment room, with floorspace equalling 836sq m.
“The third element of the proposals is a new building to the immediate south of the restaurant/gym, for use as veterinary clinic and two storeys with a floor area of 390sq m,” the document said.
The report added: “With regard to the restaurant, gym, and vets a shell layout is provided, as the detailed layouts for these units will be subject to future tenants requirements. While it is considered that each of these units will be satisfactory in terms of providing attractive, useable units that are fit for purpose, it will be required that further details of the internal layouts for these units is subject to a condition.”
It concluded: “Overall it is officer's view that the scale of the development is acceptable and appropriate.”
All three buildings would be positioned to the eastern side of the site fronting Mayflower Drive. Separated from the hotel by a piazza, the two smaller buildings, the restaurant/gym and vets surgery would be linked by an enclosed service yard and an animal exercise area between the two buildings.
The piazza would be a paved area linking Mayflower Drive to the site, and would provide pedestrian access to the hotel and restaurant. The area would include outdoor seating and trees.
The officer’s report said: “This will primarily be a hard surfaced area with some outdoor seating, along with tree planting and substantial planters to the north and south of the space which will also act as hostile vehicle prevention, to ensure that the piazza is safe for its users.”
In total 82 car parking spaces would be provided, of which 20 spaces would be useable for electric vehicle charging, and four spaces would be designated as bays for disabled persons. There would be four motorcycle spaces. A cycle store would be located near the hotel to accommodate 20 bikes.
A planning officer’s report said: “From an urban design perspective it is considered that the layout of the site is acceptable and that the position of the hotel to the north optimises the opportunity to include a landmark building at this part of the site.
“The inclusion of public realm areas, particularly the piazza, are particularly welcome. The piazza will be of a scale that will be useable and an important feature. It is considered that the building footprints work well together.”
Taken from Brent Herald
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Thu Jun 18, 2020 6:48 am
